Should you let Chrome store your driver’s license and passport?

Google has rolled out an enhanced autofill feature in Chrome that can now stash your driver’s license, passport details, VIN or license plate information. The piece notes that storing government-issued IDs in Chrome is convenient but raises security concerns, since browser-based storage is a big target for criminals, and can be compromised through stolen browser sessions, unlocked devices, or rogue extensions.

Chrome encrypts autofill data, requires explicit permission for autofill, and asks for confirmation before pasting it into a form, with two-factor authentication and a Chrome sync passphrase offered as additional protections. The article also points out that Chrome’s feature can be turned off by default, and provides a quick how-to to locate Enhanced autofill in Settings.

It concludes by recommending password managers for securely storing sensitive information, as they are audited for security and operate separately from the browser. Finally, it urges users to keep browsers up to date and to employ real-time anti-malware protection and two-factor authentication to improve the security of important accounts.