According to research by Surfshark, the Google Chrome mobile browser and its integrated Gemini AI collect 24 different data types directly from the user.
Highlights
Together, Chrome and Gemini collect 24 types of user data
Brave collects only two data points
Perplexity Comet collects 10 data points
Google recently announced the integration of Gemini AI into its Chrome browser, making browsing and task management easier for users. As appealing as this feature is, it's important for users to understand how much personal information is being collected through this integration. Research analyzed data privacy on five leading agentic AI browsers, and Chrome emerged as the most data-hungry browser, collecting the most user data. Let's explore the details.
Chrome + Gemini: Collects the most data
According to Surfshark research , the Google Chrome mobile browser and its integrated Gemini AI collect 24 different data types directly related to the user. This includes user name, location, device ID, browsing and search history, product interactions, and purchase history. This means that your privacy may be most impacted when using Chrome + Gemini.
Microsoft Edge + Copilot: Collects less data than Chrome
Microsoft has integrated Copilot AI into its Edge browser. Edge itself collects six types of data, such as customer support information, browsing history, device ID, product interactions, and performance data. Copilot AI also collects name, location, photos or videos, audio data, search history, user ID, advertising data, and diagnostic data. However, Edge was found to be less data-hungry than Chrome.
Perplexity Comet and Opera Neon: More focus on privacy
The research also tested Perplexity's Comet browser and Opera Neon. Comet is currently only available for desktop users. Its mobile app is available on the App Store and collects less data than Gemini or Copilot, with a total of 10 data types, such as location, user ID, device ID, product interactions, and purchase history.
Meanwhile, Opera's AI browser, Neon, is currently in alpha and available on mobile as Aria AI. It collected only six data points in testing, none of which are directly linked to the user. It primarily collects data for third-party advertising and analytics.
Brave + Leo: Most Privacy-Conscious
Leo, the AI integrated into the mobile version of the Brave browser, is the most privacy-conscious. It collects only two data points – usage data (for analytics) and user ID (for app functionality). This means that even with agentic AI features, the browser can be designed for privacy.
The danger of extensions
Surfshark's research also revealed that agentic AI extensions like ChatGPT can be added to browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. These extensions are extremely useful, but installing them can expose additional personal data to third-party companies. Therefore, it's important for users to understand which browser and which AI tool provide the balance between data privacy and functionality.
How was this research done?
This study examined the data storage practices of five leading agentic AI browsers. Official privacy policies and app store disclosures (as of September 2025) were analyzed to determine the number and type of data points collected. However, the Perplexity Comet mobile browser and Opera Neon are not yet available on the App Store, so only currently available apps were analyzed.
