What is private browsing mode?

What is private browsing mode?

Google explains private browsing as:

• The searches you do or sites you visit won’t be saved to your device or browsing history.

• Files you download or bookmarks you create might be kept on your device.

• Cookies are deleted after you close your private browsing window or tab.

• You might see search results and suggestions based on your location or other searches you’ve done during your current browsing session.

Note: If you sign in to your Google Account to use a web service like Gmail, your searches and browsing activity might be saved to your account.

What that note says is, your browser won’t keep local records of your searches, files that you download, site history or session data you create. But, and this is a big BUT, your searches, site history and cookies are can all still be saved if you've logged into your Google account.

On top of that, your data is still visible to ISP, advertisers and network monitors. Private browsing mode doesn’t obscure or protect any of your information as it leaves your device.