Tor Browser's "New Identity" button didn't actually reset your fingerprint
The Tor Browser's 'New Identity' button was found to not fully reset user fingerprints, leaving a hidden signature that could be used for tracking. Researchers identified that a feature called IndexedDB retained data in a unique order, allowing websites to recognize returning users. Fortunately, this issue has been resolved by sorting the data alphabetically, eliminating the tracking capability.
- ▪The 'New Identity' button in Tor Browser did not completely erase user fingerprints.
- ▪IndexedDB stored data in a unique order that acted as a hidden fingerprint.
- ▪The issue has been fixed by sorting the data alphabetically to prevent tracking.
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| Original publisher | Boing Boing |
| Canonical URL | https://boingboing.net/2026/04/28/tor-browsers-new-identity-button-didnt-actually-reset-your-fingerprint.html |
| Publication time | Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:49:22 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-04-28T18:26:49.538Z |
| Last seen | 2026-04-28T18:26:49.538Z |
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Tor Browser's "New Identity" button didn't actually reset your fingerprint Ellsworth Toohey 10:49 am Tue Apr 28, 2026 DANIEL CONSTANTE / Shutterstock.com Tor Browser has a "New Identity" button that's supposed to give you a completely fresh start — like opening a brand-new browser with no memory of what you were doing before. But it turns out it didn't fully do that. Researchers discovered that a built-in browser feature (called IndexedDB, which websites use to store data on your device) could leave behind a kind of hidden "fingerprint." This fingerprint wasn't erased when you clicked "New Identity." The problem came from how the browser listed stored data. Instead of using a consistent order (like alphabetical), it returned the list in a quirky but repeatable order.
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