In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, a new breed of web browsers is emerging, promising seamless integration of AI assistants to enhance user productivity. Yet, beneath the veneer of innovation, these tools are resurrecting some of the most troubling privacy practices that plagued Big Tech giants like Google and Meta for years. According to a recent analysis by TechRadar, AI companies are falling into the “surveillance browser trap,” collecting vast amounts of user data under the guise of improving functionality, much like the ad-tracking scandals that led to multibillion-dollar fines and regulatory overhauls.

This pattern isn’t coincidental. Startups developing AI-powered browsers, such as those embedding chatbots for real-time query handling or personalized content curation, are mirroring the data-hungry models of Chrome and Safari. By default, these browsers often log browsing history, search queries, and even keystrokes to train AI models, raising alarms about consent and transparency—issues that echoed through antitrust cases against Big Tech in the early 2020s.

The Echoes of Past Scandals

Industry insiders point out that the stakes are higher with AI, as these systems process sensitive information at an unprecedented scale. For instance, a study from University College London (UCL) and Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, highlighted in TechXplore, revealed that popular AI browser assistants are harvesting data like medical records and social security numbers without robust safeguards, often sharing it with third parties. This mirrors the Cambridge Analytica fallout, where unchecked data aggregation fueled misinformation campaigns.

Compounding the problem, many AI browsers operate on opaque algorithms that users can’t easily audit. Executives at firms like Perplexity AI have defended such practices as necessary for model improvement, but critics argue it’s a slippery slope toward pervasive surveillance. The Digital Watch Observatory reports that these tools may violate GDPR and U.S. privacy laws, especially during incognito modes where tracking persists covertly.

Risks Amplified by AI Autonomy

What sets AI browsers apart is their “agentic” capabilities—autonomous agents that perform tasks like booking flights or summarizing articles without constant user input. However, this autonomy introduces vulnerabilities, as noted in a TechRadar piece on agentic AI risks, where manipulation by bad actors could lead to data breaches on a massive scale. Unlike traditional browsers, AI versions learn from user behavior in real-time, potentially creating detailed profiles that outstrip even Facebook’s infamous targeting.

Regulatory bodies are taking notice, with the Federal Trade Commission echoing concerns from past Big Tech probes. A report in News18 warns that browsers like Perplexity’s Comet are facing scrutiny for features that prioritize ease-of-use over security, potentially exposing users to identity theft or corporate espionage.

Paths to Mitigation and Industry Shifts

To break this cycle, experts advocate for built-in privacy-by-design principles, such as on-device processing to minimize data transmission. Companies like Brave have pioneered ad-free, privacy-focused browsing, and AI firms could adopt similar opt-in models for data usage. As The Digital Speaker outlines, solutions include transparent data audits and user-controlled AI training, which could prevent the privacy pitfalls that cost Big Tech dearly.

Ultimately, the surveillance browser trap underscores a broader tension in tech: innovation versus ethics. For AI companies, ignoring these lessons risks not just fines but eroding user trust in an era where privacy is paramount. Industry leaders must pivot toward accountable practices, or face the same reckonings that reshaped Silicon Valley a decade ago.