When operating in private browsing mode, does the workplace know which sites are visited?

When using private browsing mode, the primary function is to limit the amount of information stored on the local device, such as browsing history, cookies, and site data. This feature is designed to enhance user privacy by preventing the browser from saving the details of the user’s browsing session.

However, it’s essential to note that private browsing does not make users completely invisible or untraceable. While local data is not saved after closing the private browsing instance, external factors, such as network monitoring by a workplace, can still reveal the websites visited. For example, if an organization maintains a network management system or firewall, they can monitor traffic that passes through their network, including which domains are accessed, regardless of the browser's private mode.

Therefore, stating that workplaces do not know which sites are visited during private browsing mode oversimplifies the situation. While private browsing does enhance user privacy in terms of local storage, it does not prevent network-level visibility, especially in a managed workplace environment.