By Vicky Sidler | Published 22 January 2026 at 12:00 GMT+2

There is a browser on your phone right now that knows more about you than your best friend. Possibly more than your spouse. It collects your contacts, files, photos, documents, and even your location. If you are using Yandex, Edge, or Chrome, it might even know what you had for lunch, when you paid for it, and where you were standing at the time.

According to a new global analysis by Surfshark, those three browsers top the list for privacy risk in 2026. Together, they also dominate the market.

That combination is what people in the security world call bad news.

TL;DR:

• Yandex, Microsoft Edge, and Google Chrome collect the most personal data

• Collected data includes files, contacts, location, browsing history, and in some cases private messages

• These browsers also share your data with third parties

• Only 2 in 10 users even read privacy policies

• Safer browsers include Brave, Samsung Internet, Tor, and Ecosia

• Your business may be leaking more data than you realize

👉 Need help getting your message right? Download the 5-Minute Marketing Fix.

Table of Contents:

Not Just the Usual Cookies:

Surfshark looked at the 15 most popular mobile browsers. At the top of the privacy risk list: Yandex collects 25 out of 38 possible user data types. Microsoft Edge comes in at 20. Chrome clocks in at 19. For reference, the least invasive browser in the study collected zero.

The data categories aren’t just technical stats. They include:

• Your photos and videos

• Your location

• Files and documents on your device

• Contacts

• Payment details

• Your private in-app messages (in the case of Yandex)

If that last one made your jaw tighten, you’re not alone.

Justas Pukys, Senior Product Manager at Surfshark, explained that this kind of surveillance lets companies build detailed user profiles. Those profiles aren’t just for show. They are used to influence what prices you see, what ads you get, and what offers reach your screen. Sometimes, different people get different prices for the same product. That’s not theory. That’s Instacart.

And the reason companies can do that is because your browser gave them everything they needed to make those predictions.

But It’s for Your Own Good, Apparently:

Browser makers justify the data collection with terms like "analytics," "security," "personalization," and "fraud prevention." All of which sound reasonable. Until you ask yourself why those goals require collecting your message history.

According to the study, Yandex even shares your payment information with third parties. Edge shares your location and user ID. Phoenix shares crash logs and app interactions. The more they collect, the more they can sell or use.

It’s hard to know how much of that is about safety and how much is about squeezing extra value from your behavior. You might think of it as browser-based surveillance capitalism, with a smiley face logo and a helpful autofill feature.

Who’s Using What (And Where That Matters):

Three browsers cover almost the entire global market. Chrome leads with 68.5 percent, followed by Safari and Samsung Internet. This means most people are walking around with a data-hungry browser in their pocket without realizing it.

According to the report, people in the US, Canada, Taiwan, and Scandinavia are more likely to use privacy-conscious browsers. In contrast, countries like India, Brazil, the Philippines, and Russia have higher exposure to risky ones.

If your small business operates in any of these markets or serves customers across them, your marketing stack may be hoovering up more data than you ever intended.

Why This Should Matter to You as a Small Business Owner:

Even if you are not building browsers, you are using them every day. So are your team members. So are your customers. Every tool that touches your business relies on browsers to some extent. And if those browsers are logging everything in the background, the implications go beyond personal privacy.

Customer data security is part of trust. If a browser you recommend, install, or require ends up exposing customer information, it’s your reputation that takes the hit.

That’s not hypothetical. According to Surfshark, the most common data type exposed in breaches in 2025 was personal customer data. Not usernames. Not passwords. Names, addresses, and contact details. The things you cannot undo once they are out in the open.

So, What Can You Actually Do?

You don’t need to become a cybersecurity expert. But you do need to stop ignoring this issue.

Start by switching to a browser that does not collect unnecessary data. Brave, Tor, and Samsung Internet are the standouts here. Ecosia is a decent middle ground. These options strip away the tracking, ads, and data requests that most of us agree to without reading.

Next, go check the app permissions on your phone. Right now. Open your settings and look at what your browser is allowed to access. If your browser has access to your photos, files, camera, contacts, microphone, and calendar, ask yourself why.

You should also start using a password manager. Do not let your browser store your passwords anymore. That convenience comes at a cost.

And finally, if you are often on public networks, invest in a VPN. It’s not a tinfoil hat move. It’s a basic layer of protection. Surfshark obviously sells VPNs, but any reputable provider is better than none.

Privacy Is a Brand Asset:

Privacy problems usually start long before a data breach or a headline. They start with vague decisions, unclear systems, and tools that collect far more than anyone intended. When things are fuzzy, risk creeps in quietly.

The same pattern shows up in marketing.

When your message is unclear, customers hesitate. When your positioning is vague, trust weakens. And when people do not understand exactly what you do and why it matters, they assume the worst or move on.

Clear communication reduces risk. It sets expectations. It builds confidence. It gives people fewer reasons to be suspicious and more reasons to believe you.

That is why clarity is not just a marketing exercise. It is a protection mechanism for your business.

If you want one simple place to start, this is it.

The 5 Minute Marketing Fix helps you create one clear sentence that explains what your business does, who it helps, and why it matters. No jargon. No tracking tricks. No overcollection of attention or data. Just clarity.

When your message is clear, your marketing works harder without needing to know everything about everyone.

👉 Download it free here.

Related Articles:

1. Free AI Tools Are Risky—Here's How Small Businesses Should Use Them Safely

If you're concerned about browsers leaking your personal data, you'll want to know what "free" AI tools are quietly taking from your business too.

2. Small Businesses Are Being Targeted—Here's What Cybersecurity Stats Say in 2025

Browser tracking opens the door, but this article shows what happens when cybercriminals walk right through it. Essential reading for every business owner.

3. Shopping Apps Ranked by How Much Data They Take

Think browsers are bad? Wait until you see what your shopping apps know about you. This piece connects the dots between commerce and surveillance.

4. Why Replacing Copywriters With AI Will Destroy Your Brand

When trust is a brand asset, privacy matters. So does voice. This article explains why cutting corners—whether with data or content—costs you more than you save.

5. 2026 Digital Detox: How to Reclaim Focus Without Quitting Tech

If browser tracking leaves you feeling digitally overexposed, this piece offers a way to protect your focus and attention—without giving up the tools you need.

Frequently Asked Questions About Browser Privacy in 2026

1. Which browsers collect the most personal data in 2026?

According to Surfshark's 2026 study, Yandex, Microsoft Edge, and Google Chrome collect the most types of user data. This includes contacts, files, location, browsing history, and even private messages in some cases.

2. What kind of data does Google Chrome collect?

Chrome collects up to 19 types of user data, including your browsing history, location, usage data, and device information. This information is often used for analytics, advertising, and personalisation.

3. Is it safe to use Yandex browser?

Yandex was found to collect 25 out of 38 possible data types, including in-app messages. It also shares payment information with third parties. If privacy matters to you, it’s not the safest option.

4. What’s the most private mobile browser in 2026?

Brave, Tor, and Mi Browser do not collect any user data according to the latest review. Samsung Internet and Ecosia collect very little and are considered good low-risk options for mobile browsing.

5. Why do browsers collect my personal information?

Developers say it’s for app functionality, fraud prevention, and personalisation. In reality, it also supports targeted advertising and helps build detailed user profiles that can be shared with third parties.

6. Can a browser track my location and contacts?

Yes. Browsers like Microsoft Edge and Yandex can access your contacts, files, and precise location if you allow the app permissions. You can review and restrict these in your phone’s settings.

7. How do I stop my browser from collecting so much data?

Switch to a privacy-focused browser like Brave or Samsung Internet. Also, go into your device settings and disable unnecessary app permissions like access to location, contacts, and storage.

8. Should I use a VPN with my browser?

Yes. A VPN adds a layer of encryption that hides your IP address and protects your data on public networks. It’s a smart move if you're using any browser that collects or shares data.

9. What are browser permissions and how do I check them?

Browser permissions are settings that control what your browser can access on your phone, like your camera, location, or files. You can check and change them in your device’s privacy or app settings.

10. How does browser tracking affect small business owners?

If your team or tools rely on browsers that collect and share data, you could be exposing customer or business information without realizing it. That creates legal, security, and trust risks—especially if your marketing promises privacy.