Story perspectives

AI Browser Extensions Collect Sensitive Data Unbeknownst to Users

12/15/2025

Summary

Story summary

A USENIX study shows AI browser extensions, including OpenAI's Atlas and Perplexity's Comet, collect sensitive data such as medical records and banking information during simulated browsing.
These extensions operate autonomously and often without user consent.
Atlas offers data usage options that let browsing history feed training datasets.
Perplexity claims stronger privacy by not recalling past interactions.
The browser industry is projected to reach $750 billion in revenue by 2028.

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Story summary

A USENIX study shows AI browser extensions, including OpenAI's Atlas and Perplexity's Comet, collect sensitive data such as medical records and banking information during simulated browsing.
These extensions operate autonomously and often without user consent.
Atlas offers data usage options that let browsing history feed training datasets.
Perplexity claims stronger privacy by not recalling past interactions.
The browser industry is projected to reach $750 billion in revenue by 2028.