Microsoft is planning a “privacy mode” feature on the next release of Internet Explorer (IE) web browser reports the BBC.

By clicking a button, users will be able to limit how much information is recorded about where they go online and what they do. More users are using the web today to manage sensitive information related to health care, insurance, banking, credit score etc and the privacy mode would prevent their data being shared with or retrieved by other users.

The applications deal with methods of erasing data that browsing programs log, turning off features that record sites visited or notifying users of what sites are doing to log a visit. Two patent applications made by Microsoft for the feature to be called “Cleartracks” and “Inprivate” were discovered by Long Zheng.

Many browsers already have menu options that let people alter security settings and clear history files it typically has to be done on a use-by-use basis.

By comparison Apple’s Safari browser already has a privacy mode and developers working for Mozilla, creators of Firefox, are reportedly working on a similar feature for future versions.

Browsers, such as Xerobank, take a more thorough approach to privacy and try to anonymise all web use.

Related: Congress Working On Web Privacy Law