Highlights
Incognito mode in Chrome isn’t as private as you might think. But some changes from Microsoft mean your sensitive business data stays where you want it…
If you’ve ever used Incognito mode in Chrome, you probably know the basics: it lets you browse without saving your history, cookies, or other temporary data.
But was it ever truly private?
Not entirely…
Until recently, if you copied something from an Incognito tab, like text, an image, or a web address, Windows could still save it in your clipboard history and even sync it to other devices.
Not exactly what you might want from a “private” browsing session, right?
Microsoft has quietly stepped in to fix that loophole, making Incognito mode even more private.
When you open an Incognito tab in Chrome (or InPrivate mode in Edge), your browser stops saving:
- Your browsing history (so nobody else using your device can see what websites you’ve visited)
- Cookies and site data (so websites won’t remember you after you close the tab)
- Form data (so your browser won’t autofill your details next time)
This can be handy for things like:
- Checking flight costs or hotel bookings without tracking cookies causing price hikes
- Logging in to multiple accounts without having to sign out
- Using a shared computer without leaving a trail
Let’s say you’re copying confidential business information or a personal message while in Incognito mode. Before this update, Windows would have saved that copied text in your clipboard history, meaning anyone who pressed Windows Key + V later could see it.
Even worse, if you had Cloud Clipboard enabled (which syncs clipboard data between Windows devices), your copied content could end up on another device entirely.
Microsoft spotted this issue and patched it, making sure that when you copy something in Incognito mode, Windows won’t save it to your clipboard history or sync it to the cloud.
So now, your activity truly disappears when you close the tab (Google has since picked up this change and rolled it into Chrome updates for everyone).
Meanwhile, Microsoft has made another small but useful privacy improvement: media previews are now hidden when using Incognito mode.
Normally, when you play a YouTube video (or any media) in Chrome, Windows shows a preview of what’s playing whenever you adjust the volume or check the media panel. If you’re on the lock screen, it even shows details like the video title and artwork.
Watching something in Incognito? Thanks to the update, now it just says, "A site is playing media.” No titles, no thumbnails, no details.
This means that if you’re watching a sensitive video (business-related or otherwise), there’s no accidental exposure if someone else glances at your screen.
If you use Incognito mode for private browsing, you’re now getting better protection than before, even if you didn’t realize there was a problem in the first place.
But remember: Incognito mode still doesn’t hide your activity from your internet provider, work network, or the websites you visit. It’s great for local privacy on your device, but it won’t make you completely anonymous online.
If you need help making sure your sensitive business data stays private, get in touch.
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This special edition of our Leading London series brings together the partners behind the rollout of the City of London Corporation’s new unified network, a major upgrade designed to strengthen public services and improve connectivity across the Square Mile and beyond.
The panel included:
- Sam Collins, Assistant Director of Digital and Data, City of London Corporation
- Chelsea Chamberlin, Chief Technology Officer, Roc Technologies
- Scott McKinnon, Chief Security Officer, Palo Alto Networks
- Rhod Morgan, Chief Operations Officer, Vorboss
- Elliot Townsend, Senior Director, Juniper Networks
- Christa Elizabeth Norton, Marketing Director, Roc Technologies
Together, they explored how the new network will improve public services, strengthen cyber resilience and support a more connected, future-ready City.
For many landlords and building managers, the word “wayleave” feels like the responsible route whenever a fibre circuit is being installed on their property. It sounds formal and safe – a neat legal box to tick.
In many cases, however, a wayleave adds unnecessary complexity and delays, frustrates tenants, and can expose landlords to long-term legal risks.
At Vorboss, we’ve connected thousands of office spaces across London without a wayleave, keeping landlords in full control and getting tenants online faster.
What is a wayleave?
A wayleave is a written agreement between a landowner and a telecoms operator. It gives the operator permission to install and keep equipment on private property.
What many people don’t realise is that signing a wayleave also activates “Code rights” under the Electronic Communications Code. These rights go beyond simple permission, they give the operator legal powers to stay on the property indefinitely, access it when needed, and even refuse removal of their equipment in certain situations.
For a typical connection into a commercial building in London, a wayleave can make the fibre installation process slower, more expensive, and limit the landlord’s flexibility long term.
Why a wayleave isn’t required for standard in-building fibre connections
For a standard in-building fibre connection serving a tenant, a wayleave isn’t a legal requirement. Important protections, like building access, fire safety, repairing any damage, and removing equipment, are already covered by the tenant’s lease and usual building rules.
If no wayleave is signed, no Code rights are triggered, meaning the landlord retains full control and the installation exists under a simple, fully revocable licence.
In practice, this gives landlords far more protection and flexibility:
- No legal lock-in – the telecoms operator has no long-term rights to stay or refuse removal.
- Landlords keep full control – equipment can be moved or removed when the building changes.
- Faster fibre installation – no time lost in drafting contracts or solicitor reviews.
- Happier tenants – connections go live quicker; tenants get to move in faster.
By contrast, signing a wayleave and granting Code rights introduces a complex and expensive legal process for any fibre removal or relocation. This can take at least 18 months, plus potential court or tribunal proceedings, making it slower, and far less flexible for the landlord.
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