Three browser misconceptions matter more in the AI era

Web browsers have grown from tools that display websites into a key layer between people and their online activities. They now handle login credentials and permissions, block trackers and can let AI agents act on a user's behalf. TechRadar's Pawel Kurzelewski argues that outdated assumptions about browsers can lead people to make poorly informed choices.

One misconception is that a browser is responsible whenever ads follow someone or a website appears to know personal details. Kurzelewski says data collection usually comes from websites, advertising technology, embedded trackers and third-party scripts. Browsers can still help users see and control some of that activity, though protections and default settings vary between browsers.

A second misconception is that giving an AI assistant access to one part of browsing grants access to everything. Access can instead be limited to a page, tab or task. The article gives the example of an AI drafting an email: it should need the email tab, not a banking session in another window. It says access should end when the task is done and recommends that security teams examine vendors' default permissions and how clearly they explain AI access.

The third misconception is treating privacy and security as the same thing. Security concerns unauthorized access and malicious activity; privacy concerns what data is collected, shared and retained. Kurzelewski notes that an AI feature may be secure yet raise privacy concerns if it sends prompts or page content to a third-party provider. Conversely, an on-device system may raise security risks if a hostile webpage can manipulate it. He argues users should assess both questions separately as browsers take on more responsibility.