Google is removing the ability for Chromium browsers to accidentally sync Chrome user data - Chrome Unboxed

Jan 16, 2021

During a recent audit, Google discovered that some third-party Chromium-based browsers were able to provide their users with integration to Chrome Sync, Click to Call, and other features exclusive to Google’s version of the browser.

Their bookmarks, among other things, were able to be added to the overall experience in the same way that they would be in regular ol’ Google Chrome.

The third-party browsers which were able to access Chrome Sync were not identified publicly via the Chromium Blog, but as a result of this, Google is limiting access to its private Chrome APIs starting March 15, 2021.

The company reassures users who were able to benefit from this accidental access during this short period will continue to be able to access their full account data via the web or the official Google Chrome browser.

Additionally, Chrome Sync is now optional and not required, so users who want to use Chrome without synchronizing to the cloud can do so, though the benefits will be limited.