447/68 Thursday, November 6, 2025
Google has expanded the capabilities of Chrome’s Autofill feature to store and automatically enter more sensitive personal information, including driver’s license details, passport information, and even vehicle identification numbers (VINs). The goal is to make online form-filling faster and more convenient. Google states that the upgrade includes stronger privacy protections – data will only be stored with user consent, will be encrypted, and users will be asked to confirm before Autofill uses the information. Google emphasizes that users still maintain full control over their data.
While convenience is the key benefit, the change raises new concerns. Compared to basic information like phone numbers or home addresses, documents such as passports and vehicle details contain highly identifiable personal data. Cybersecurity experts have voiced caution. Nivedita Murthy, Senior Consultant at Black Duck, notes that although Autofill saves time, it also centralizes sensitive data in one place. She warns that if a user’s Google account — often used for authentication across multiple services – is compromised, attackers could gain access not only to emails but also to sensitive identity information stored in Autofill. Users must weigh convenience against the potential risks.
Furthermore, this feature goes against common cybersecurity best practices, which typically advise not to store passwords or Autofill data in browsers, as malware-such as Shuyal Stealer, specifically designed to target these repositories-can extract the stored information. Google has already begun rolling out the new feature on Chrome for desktop and plans to expand its capabilities. Although Google reiterates that privacy is central to the feature’s design, experts advise users to carefully balance convenience and security, because when highly sensitive data is stored in a single system, what’s convenient for the owner may also become convenient for hackers.
Source https://hackread.com/google-chrome-autofill-passports-licenses-safe/
