Google Chrome: "Your Organization Will Manage This Profile"

Environment

U-M Google, Google Chrome

Issue

I receive a pop-up in Google Chrome when I sign in to my U-M Google account that states:

Your organization will manage this profile

This account ([uniqname]@umich.edu) is managed by umich.edu

You’re adding a managed profile to this browser. Your administrator has control over the profile and can access its data. Bookmarks, history, passwords, and other settings can be synced to your account and managed by your administrator.

Why am I receiving this? Does U-M have access to my bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, and other data?

Resolution

What is this pop-up?

• The pop-up appears when you sign in to your U-M Google account using the desktop Google Chrome browser outside of an existing Google Chrome profile, Guest profile, or the profile creation flow. Learn more about Google Chrome profiles.
• The pop-up started appearing for U-M users in May/June 2022 when Google Chrome version 102 was released.
  • The notice may also appear in other Chromium-based browsers, such as Microsoft Edge, Brave, and Opera.
  • It's uncertain whether this pop-up still appears as frequently as it did in 2022.
• The pop-up tries to make it clearer to you (as the user) that you are using Google Chrome via a Google account managed by the University of Michigan.
  • U-M does NOT manage your Chrome usage in any way.
  • The pop-up lets you create a new profile for your U-M account to avoid merging existing bookmarks, history, and passwords.
• U-M does NOT view or manage your bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, or any other information stored in your Chrome profile. The information in the pop-up is misleading.
• The only information U-M receives when you sign in to a Chrome profile is your email address, your operating system (OS), OS version, and the date/time of your first and last sync. This information is not monitored and is standard data collected with cloud collaboration services.
• The only management controls U-M has are the ability to sign you out of the profile on that specific device, which would only occur in the event of a security breach (e.g., a lost or stolen device).
• If you choose to sync your profile, you will have the same bookmarks, history, and passwords available whenever you sign in to Chrome on any device. Keep in mind that data is accessible to anyone who logs in using your credentials. Learn more about the policies that govern the university's access to your data.

What should I do?

The pop-up notice should only appear once, after the first sign-in to your U-M Google account in a Google Chrome browser. It shouldn't appear again for that account, regardless of which device you sign in with. (In 2022, this was not the case - it would pop up each time you signed in.)

Your options are:

• Sync your U-M Google account with a Chrome profile
  • This will sync your existing bookmarks, browsing history, and saved Chrome passwords with your U-M account.
  • Every Chrome browser you sign in to with your U-M Google account, these items will be maintained and accessible on that device.
  • Learn more about syncing your account with Chrome.
• Do not sync your U-M Google account with a Chrome profile
  • You can create a Chrome profile with your U-M account, but set it up so nothing (bookmarks, history, passwords) syncs with it.
  • Logging in to your account via Chrome on another device will not sync these items to that device.
  • Learn more about not syncing your account with Chrome.
• Do not sign in to a Chrome profile at all and only use Guest mode
  • Nothing will sync between browsing sessions.
  • Closing and reopening the browser will erase all previous history.
  • You will need to sign in to your U-M Google account every time you open the browser.
  • Learn more about Guest mode.

Note: Your bookmarks may disappear after logging into Chrome with your U-M Google account because Chrome may create a new profile. Refer to Google: Chrome Bookmarks Missing Due to New Chrome Profile for instructions on restoring them.

Additional Information

Google's information about the update (which has since been removed from release notes due to age) said:

"Chrome 102 brings better separation between personal and enterprise-managed data. When the user signs into a managed account, they will have the option to either keep existing browsing data separate, or merge it with the managed account. By default, the data is kept separate, so a new profile will be created. Or, if they choose, they can merge the existing profile into the managed account. This prevents inadvertent sharing of personal data with work accounts. The ManagedAccountsSigninRestriction policy can be used to hide the checkbox altogether, allowing admins to force users to create a separate work profile."

For additional information or assistance, contact the ITS Service Center.