The Intrusive Bridge
When you visit a web-based text editor, a code formatting tool, or a cloud-based design application in Google Chrome, the website will frequently attempt to utilize Javascript to read the contents of your computer’s clipboard. Chrome intercepts this action and throws a prompt asking, “Allow to see text and images copied to the clipboard?” While this allows advanced web apps to function like native software, the clipboard frequently contains highly sensitive data, such as copied passwords, two-factor authentication codes, or financial information. If you exclusively use desktop applications for sensitive work and do not want random websites attempting to read your clipboard, you must disable the API.
How to Turn Off Clipboard Prompts
You can permanently revoke the browser’s permission to bridge your clipboard via the site settings.
- Open the Google Chrome desktop browser.
- Click the three vertical dots (⋮) in the top right corner and select Settings.
- In the left-hand sidebar, click on Privacy and security.
- In the main window, click on Site settings.
- Scroll down and click on Additional permissions to expand the hidden menu.
- Click on Clipboard.
- At the very top of the screen, under “Default behavior,” select the radio button next to “Don’t allow sites to see text and images on your clipboard.”
A Secure Memory Bank
The change is instantaneous. If any website attempts to execute a script to scan the contents of your clipboard, Google Chrome will immediately and silently terminate the request in the background. The browser will never again interrupt your workflow with a pop-up prompt asking for clipboard access. To paste data into a website, you must now manually press Ctrl+V or right-click and select Paste, guaranteeing the website only receives the data you explicitly hand over.