Is Microsoft Edge Safe?
Privacy Audit 2026

Microsoft Microsoft Edge has steadily gained market share since its Chromium-based relaunch, now powering roughly 13% of desktop browsing worldwide. While Microsoft Edge positions itself as a privacy-friendly alternative to Chrome, it still sends significant telemetry to Microsoft's servers. This audit separates the marketing claims from the technical reality of Microsoft Edge's data practices.

What Data Does Microsoft Edge Collect?

Our analysis of Microsoft Edge's privacy policy, terms of service, and technical behavior reveals the following categories of data collection. Each item represents data that Microsoft Edge either explicitly states it collects in its privacy policy or that independent researchers have documented through technical analysis.

• •URLs visited via SmartScreen and address bar suggestions
• •Hardware and software inventory through diagnostics
• •Shopping activity and product page interactions
• •Microsoft Rewards activity tracking
• •Synced passwords, history, and favorites
• •Typing and inking input data
• •Media usage and streaming history
• •Extension telemetry

Privacy Concerns

Microsoft Edge sends browsing data to Microsoft servers by default, including URLs you visit through the SmartScreen filter, typing data through the text prediction service, and diagnostic telemetry. A 2020 study by Trinity College Dublin found Edge to be among the least private major browsers, sending persistent device identifiers tied to browsing activity.

Edge includes several Microsoft-specific tracking features such as Shopping recommendations that scan product pages you visit, a built-in rewards program that monitors your search and browsing activity, and Bing-powered suggestions that transmit partial URLs to Microsoft servers in real time.

The browser's integration with Microsoft accounts means your favorites, history, passwords, and form data can sync across devices, feeding into Microsoft's broader advertising and personalization ecosystem. Edge also defaults to Bing as the search engine, further expanding Microsoft's data collection surface.

Our Privacy Grade: C

Microsoft Edge receives a concerning privacy grade. The product collects more data than necessary, may share data with parent companies or advertising partners, and its business model creates incentives that conflict with user privacy. Use this product with caution and consider privacy-hardening settings.

Edge is more privacy-friendly than Chrome but still collects substantial telemetry for Microsoft's ecosystem. Disable SmartScreen and diagnostic data sharing in settings. For stronger privacy, use Firefox with Enhanced Tracking Protection enabled.

Better Alternatives

If privacy is a priority, consider these alternatives to Microsoft Edge that offer stronger data protection:

Build your AI-powered toolkit

Professionals use these tools alongside privacy-first alternatives:

More Web Browsers Privacy Audits