Google’s New Chrome Move: Another Reason To Switch To Firefox?

[steven36]

Google’s Chrome browser has come under increasing scrutiny lately, especially after its Manifest V3 plans announced earlier this year which cause some ad blockers to break.

 

 

 

Now privacy advocates are honing in on a nascent web API called getInstalledRelatedApps, which has been in development since 2015 and available to experiment with since Chrome 59’s launch in 2017. 

 

Described on GitHub, the API lets developers determine if their native app is installed on your device.

 

 

Of course, there are benefits that will improve the experience when people have web and native apps from the same developer installed on their device. It will prevent potentially annoying consequences such as receiving the same notification twice. 

 

So what’s the problem? As an article on highly-esteemed tech site The Register points out, the purpose of this API “isn’t really about users so much as web and app publishers.”

 

In fact, if it isn’t handled properly, it could be a major risk to people’s security and privacy. “If done incorrectly, there’s a good chance of it being open to abuse–and with that come some pretty significant privacy and security related issues,” says security researcher Sean Wright.

Google Chrome privacy: Identifying factors

The privacy issue stems from the fact that the API would allow sites to potentially see which apps you have installed on your device. “Seeing what you have installed allows them to form a picture of what you do,” says Wright. 

 

At the same time, it could impact your security: “Knowing which apps are installed can help attackers perform targeted phishing or to target apps with known vulnerabilities,” Wright warns. 

 

It looks like Google will officially support this API in a future version of Chrome, according to a statement of intent posted by Google engineer Rayan Kanso at the end of November. In the post, he conceded that it would not help Chrome users directly although he said it “indirectly benefits them through improved web experiences.

 

Google is aware that its new move could have consequences. This week, Google engineer Yoav Weiss expressed concerns, highlighting the API’s risks. He pointed out that “the collection of bits of answers” to “Is app X installed” could reveal enough about a user to uniquely identify them.

 

I have reached out to Google for further comment and will update this story when it arrives.

A risk to Google Chrome users’ security and privacy: What to do

As the Register’s Thomas Claburn states, it shows “how user concerns, like privacy, don’t necessarily drive how software gets made.”

 

Indeed, concerns such as security and privacy often take a back seat, right behind functionality. “There has to be a balance, but unfortunately this often seems tipped in favor of functionality,” says Wright. “It’s putting the company before users. This really frustrates me because without your users, there would be no company.”

 

Sound familiar? That’s because it is. Increasingly often, users are being overlooked when they really should be at the heart of every product. 

 

 

But there is something you can do. The only way to fight back against changes that impact privacy is to look for alternatives that do not affect you in the same way.

 

Many companies are hitting back against the likes of Google and Facebook, by providing services that respect their users’ privacy and security. Firefox is currently the browser of choice for those who are concerned, and many Chrome users have already moved over. 

 

At the same time, smaller browsers such as Brave are quickly gaining a strong reputation, so it might be a good time to try something new.

 

Source

[Kalju]

As long as Firefox/Mozilla has not been able to make and compete regularly any working versions, it will not be used.
But of course, anyway, it is a very interesting commercial advertising.

[steven36]

17 minutes ago, Kalju said:

As long as Firefox/Mozilla has not been able to make and compete regularly any working versions, it will not be used.
But of course, anyway, it is a very interesting commercial advertising.

This is privacy and security so talking about software bugs is kind of off topic   .Firefox have millions of users i been using Firefox since 2006  and it still works for me but Waterfox  Classic is my default browser . So  it not working for you is your own little problem .  It's not advertising because it also speaks of using Brave Browser as a alternative  it says maybe it's time to try something different  it just say Firefox being one of the choices because it's keep working for UBO  in the future . Brave claims there browser will keep working with all ad blockers . The only way Chrome will is if you buy Enterprise version and that still dont solve the problem with. getInstalledRelatedApps api .

[Kalju]

12 minutes ago, steven36 said:

Spoiler

This is privacy and security so talking about software bugs is kind of off topic   .Firefox have millions of users i been using Firefox since 2006  and it still works for me but Waterfox  Classic is my default browser . So  it not working for you is your own little problem .  It's not advertising because it also speaks of using Brave Browser as a alternative  it says maybe it's time to try something different  it just say Firefox being one of the choices because it's keep working for UBO  in the future . Brave claims there browser will keep working with all ad blockers . The only way Chrome will is if you buy Enterprise version and that still dont solve the problem with. getInstalledRelatedApps api .

 

 

Your comment makes me completely speechless.
I'm probably going to the zoo or circus now....must rest a bit, too much wisdom in such a short time is very tiring.

PS! It's too bad that two "likes" can't give.

[steven36]

1 minute ago, Kalju said:

 

Your comment makes me completely speechless.
I'm probably going to the zoo or circus now....must rest a bit, too much wisdom in such a short time is very tiring.

I  never used  Google Chrome  other  than i tested  back in 2014 a little  I never been able  to get use too it  and i have Chromium Beta  and Brave . But if Brave dont  keep good on there  word  i will part with all versions of Chromium.  Since I always been one to fight changes  when it comes to web browsers  i still use Waterfox classic the most and i never liked Chromium based browsers and really don't care  for the new Firefox that uses web addons  but i sill like it more than Chromium.

[steven36]

Google Chrome Alternatives: 4 Options For People Who Care About Privacy

 

 

Google Chrome users are not having a good time of late. At the start of this year, people found out they might not be able to use their favorite ad blocking extensions anymore after Google confirmed changes dubbed Manifest V3.

This week, it emerged that more changes could be coming to an upcoming version of Google Chrome that puts web and app developers first at the risk of user privacy.

Many people have had enough, but there are a lot of other browser options out there that care about your privacy. Here are four you can try out right now.

Firefox

Many people who have already kicked their Google Chrome habit have gone straight to Firefox. You only have to search for Firefox on Reddit to find numerous groups who have switched to this privacy focused browser. There’s even a guide for people who are switching from Google Chrome.

 

Because Firefox is a non-profit, it doesn’t need to sell your data like some other browser makers. In addition, the browser had a huge update this year that saw even more privacy and security credentials added.

Among Firefox’s useful privacy and security features, the browser offers content blocking and the option to request that sites don’t track you online. There are also a bunch of extensions you can use to make your browsing more privacy friendly and secure.  

Vivaldi 

Vivaldi is built on Google’s Chromium engine which means its compatible with Chrome extensions you were using before. There has been some confusion over whether Chromium based browsers will take on Google’s Manifest V3 changes that cause ad blockers to break. Thankfully, Vivaldi has confirmed that it won’t be, making it a valid alternative to Chrome. 

Vivaldi’s privacy and security credentials are strong. The browser doesn’t track you, and it uses Bing as a search engine rather than Google. But if you don’t want to be one of the two people around the world who use Bing, you can of course use something like DuckDuckGo instead. 

Opera 

Opera is an up and coming browser option that’s worth considering if you care about your privacy. It comes with a built in ad blocker to make your web experience more secure. Opera also warns you about suspicious pages by checking your request against a database of known phishing and malware sites. Like Vivaldi, Opera has confirmed it won’t be taking on Google’s Manifest V3 Chrome changes, making it another solid alternative browser.

Brave 

Last but certainly not least is Brave, the up and coming Chromium based browser that everyone is talking about. Like Vivaldi and Opera, it will not take on the Google changes that cause ad blockers to break, and it’s fast emerging as the browser that cares about your privacy. 

 

Brave officially launched in November, so it’s a new browser, but its credentials are pretty impressive: The beta version had already attracted 8 million users when it dropped. Among its privacy and security attributes, Brave blocks third party ads and trackers. It also offers people an opt-in to advertising through Brave Ads: An option to be paid for viewing adverts while maintaining privacy and security. 

Google Chrome alternatives: What to do 

Privacy and security are increasingly important to every web user, and your browser is at the heart of everything you do online. 

 

There are a lot of options out there and when you’ve been using Google Chrome for years, it’s not an easy decision. Personally, I’m a fan of Firefox, but I also like the idea of Brave and will probably use it as a second browser. 

 

Other elements like speed will of course be part of your decision. But why not try out a couple of options before making a final decision?

 

Note: Article by  Kate O'Flaherty same person  as the OP

 

Source

[debebee]

I noticef google is starting not to allow Google service logins on non chrome browsers....

[Guest]

9 hours ago, bayer said:

I noticef google is starting not to allow Google service logins on non chrome browsers....

I'm still able to log into my Gmail account on Opera, so your point is invalid.