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Chrome Quietly Removed Its Privacy Promise for On-Device AI — Here’s What That Means Google has long pitched Chrome’s on-device AI features as a privacy-friendly way to use machine learning without sending your data to the cloud. But a recent change in Chrome’s documentation suggests that promise may no longer hold. According to reports from Decrypt, Yahoo Tech, and GIGAZINE, Google silently deleted a line that explicitly stated its on-device AI does not send data to its servers. At the same time, users have discovered that Chrome is installing a 4GB AI model that can reappear even after being manually deleted. ...

Chrome Removed Its Promise That On-Device AI Won’t Phone Home—What to Do Now In early May 2026, several tech news outlets reported that Google Chrome quietly deleted a line from its help documentation that said its on-device AI features do not send data to Google servers. The change was not announced, and Google has not explained why it was made. For anyone who uses Chrome’s built-in AI tools—like smart text completion or tab suggestions—this raises a straightforward question: Is my data leaving my device now, and how do I stop it if I want to? ...

Prom Dress Scams Are Everywhere – Here’s How to Avoid Them Prom season is in full swing, and if you’re hunting for the perfect dress online, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, scammers are counting on it. The Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert for the Hudson Valley region warning shoppers about fraudulent websites that take your money and never deliver. While the alert originated locally, the problem is nationwide, and it pays to know the warning signs before you click “buy.” ...

Chrome quietly deleted its own privacy promise for on-device AI — here’s how to stop it If you use Chrome and care about privacy, you might want to check what Google has quietly changed under the hood. Recent reporting from Decrypt and Yahoo Tech has revealed that Chrome removed a long-standing privacy promise that kept on-device AI from sending data to Google. At the same time, the browser has been silently downloading a 4 GB AI model that reappears even after you delete it. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and what you can do about it. ...

BBB Warns: Fake Prom Dress Websites Are Scamming Shoppers – Here’s How to Avoid Them The Better Business Bureau has issued a fresh alert about fraudulent websites that target shoppers looking for prom dresses. According to a report by 101.5 WPDH, the BBB specifically warned consumers in the Hudson Valley, but the scams are widespread and tend to peak during prom season (April through May). These sites look legitimate at first glance, but they are designed to take your payment and never deliver the dress. ...

Nearly a Third of Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online – Here’s What to Know If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, paid for a “deal” that turned out to be a fake listing, or handed over your card details to a site that looked legitimate but wasn’t, you aren’t alone. According to a November 2025 Pew Research Center survey, about one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly 33 percent of American consumers. ...

Is That Chrome Extension Safe? How ‘Productivity’ Tools Can Turn Into Malware You probably have a handful of Chrome extensions installed—one for password management, another for grammar checking, maybe a coupon finder or a note-taking side panel. They’re convenient, lightweight, and often free. But over the past few years, attackers have quietly turned this convenience into a serious liability. A growing number of extensions that appear to be harmless productivity aids are being used as backdoors to steal data, inject ads, or install further malware on both personal and corporate devices. ...

4 Red Flags Your Chrome Extension Might Be a Backdoor A recent report from March 2026 highlighted a troubling trend in the Chrome extension ecosystem: attackers are buying up legitimate productivity extensions and pushing updates that turn them into backdoors. The article, published by Security Boulevard, documented how extensions with millions of users can be compromised after a change in ownership. For anyone who relies on browser-based tools for work or personal use, this is worth understanding — not to panic, but to know what to look for. ...

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites This Season: BBB Warning As prom season approaches, the Better Business Bureau has issued an alert for shoppers in the Hudson Valley and beyond. Scammers are setting up fake prom dress websites designed to look legitimate, often with stolen photos and deep discounts, to trick people into handing over money and personal information. ...

Are Your Chrome Extensions Safe? A Practical Guide to Avoiding Malicious Add-Ons Introduction Browser extensions are small but powerful. They can block ads, manage passwords, take notes, or streamline your workflow. But that same power is also what makes them attractive to attackers. Malicious Chrome extensions—often disguised as productivity tools—have become a reliable way to spy on browsing activity, steal login credentials, and even slip past corporate firewalls. Recent investigations show that these add-ons are now being used in sophisticated attacks that start inside the browser. ...