In the rapidly evolving world of web browsers, the promise of innovation often walks hand-in-hand with concerns over user privacy. This tension came to the fore in December 2025, when Digitain, a digital marketing and technology group, released a comprehensive study examining the confidentiality risks presented by some of the world’s most popular browsers. The findings, reported by Neowin, sent ripples across the tech community—and for good reason.
The headline result? ChatGPT Atlas, a newly launched artificial intelligence browser from OpenAI, ranked as the worst browser for user confidentiality among the ten major browsers evaluated. Scoring a staggering 99 out of 100 points for risk—the higher the score, the greater the risk—ChatGPT Atlas failed to clear the bar on nearly every privacy metric tested. According to Digitain’s report, the AI-powered browser did not pass key tests, including those meant to block websites from tracking users across different browsing sessions. In other words, it left users particularly exposed to cross-site tracking, a major privacy red flag in today’s digital landscape.
Google Chrome, the world’s most widely used browser, didn’t fare much better. With a score of 76 out of 100, Chrome was only marginally more secure than ChatGPT Atlas. Vivaldi, another browser that has carved out a niche among privacy-conscious users, was close behind with 75 points. Microsoft Edge, the successor to Internet Explorer and Microsoft’s flagship browser, followed with 63 points. All these results were compiled and published by Digitain’s digital marketing group, led by Paruyr Arutyunyan, and made public on December 22, 2025.
The study’s methodology was rigorous and multifaceted. Experts at Digitain evaluated each browser using a series of tests that measured several key indicators: mechanisms to counteract device fingerprinting, the effectiveness of tracker blocking, and the overall security of connections. The aim was to provide a holistic view of how well—or poorly—each browser protected its users from prying eyes and data harvesters. The final score reflected the cumulative risk to user confidentiality, with a higher number indicating a greater threat.
The full list of browsers and their respective risk scores, as published by Digitain, reads as follows:
1. ChatGPT Atlas – 99
2. Google Chrome – 76
3. Vivaldi – 75
4. Microsoft Edge – 63
5. Opera – 58
6. Ungoogled – 55
7. Mozilla Firefox – 50
8. Apple Safari – 49
9. DuckDuckGo – 44
10. Tor – 40
What’s striking about these findings is that even some browsers with reputations for privacy, like Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari, scored in the middle of the pack. Meanwhile, browsers explicitly marketed as privacy-first—such as Brave and Mullvad Browser—stood out for their robust confidentiality protections. Brave, already well-known in the tech world for its privacy features, was the first among these to be recognized. Mullvad Browser, the result of a collaboration between Mullvad VPN and The Tor Project, was also praised. According to Neowin, Mullvad Browser is an open-source project designed to minimize tracking and maximize user privacy, building on the strengths of the Tor network’s anonymity features.
So, what exactly set the worst performers apart from the best? According to Paruyr Arutyunyan, head of Digitain’s digital marketing group, the answer lies in the architecture of AI-powered browsers and the data practices they enable. "New AI-based browsers, like ChatGPT Atlas and Comet from Perplexity, are currently attracting a lot of attention, and millions of people are trying them out due to the hype around AI. These browsers have interesting features that traditional browsers don’t have, but users need to stop and check how safe they really are. AI works by collecting data and learning from it, which means these tools may gather more of your personal information than you think. Just because something uses AI doesn’t automatically make it safe or confidential," Arutyunyan told Neowin.
This warning is particularly timely. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into everyday digital tools, users are often dazzled by the promise of smarter, more intuitive browsing experiences. Yet, as the Digitain study underscores, these benefits may come at the expense of personal privacy. AI-powered browsers, by their very nature, rely on large-scale data collection to train their algorithms and refine their services. This can lead to a situation where users unwittingly surrender more information than they bargained for, simply by using a browser that touts cutting-edge features.
It’s not just AI browsers that are under scrutiny. Google Chrome’s high-risk score is a stark reminder that even established giants can fall short when it comes to safeguarding user data. Chrome’s popularity has made it a favorite target for advertisers and trackers, and while Google has introduced certain privacy controls over the years, the browser’s business model still depends heavily on data collection. The Digitain study’s findings suggest that these measures may not go far enough to protect users from the ever-evolving landscape of online tracking.
On the flip side, the browsers that scored best—Brave and Mullvad—have made privacy their core mission. Brave, for instance, blocks trackers by default and offers built-in tools to prevent fingerprinting and enforce encrypted connections. The Mullvad Browser takes things a step further, leveraging its partnership with The Tor Project to deliver an experience that’s both open-source and fiercely protective of user anonymity. These browsers demonstrate that it is possible to offer a rich, modern browsing experience without sacrificing confidentiality.
For everyday users, the take-home message from Digitain’s study is clear: not all browsers are created equal when it comes to privacy. The allure of AI-driven features should be weighed carefully against the potential risks to personal data. As Arutyunyan emphasized, "The fact that something uses AI does not make it automatically safe or confidential." Users should take the time to understand the privacy policies and data practices of the browsers they use, especially as new technologies continue to reshape the digital landscape.
As the year draws to a close and millions of people consider switching browsers in search of better privacy, the findings from Digitain offer a timely—and sobering—reminder. In the battle for user confidentiality, vigilance and informed choices remain the best defenses.
