Chrome’s 2.6 billion users have faced an increased number of security threats in recent months, but now arguably the biggest warning has been issued concerning Google itself. And it might just make you want to quit Chrome.
In an explosive editorial, The Register has issued a stark warning to all Chrome users that changes Google is making within the browser will break key website features and, not only is there nothing you can do about it, this is by design.
“Part of what’s amazing about the web is that you can still go to the very first web page and view it in any browser,” Register writer Scott Gilbertson explains. “…[but] When the web developer community finds out Google is going to break a ton of websites through a tweet, you know communication has failed.”
The tweet Gilbertson refers to came from Chrome software engineer and manager Emily Stark, who revealed Google’s plans to no longer support elements of JavaScript dialogs and alert windows via third-party iframes. This can impact several elements of the standard web browsing experience, notably embedded content, including YouTube videos.
Moreover, Stark defended the move saying “breaking changes happen often on the web” and it was up to developers to adjust. But Gilbertson points out that “she is flat out wrong” and describes the dominance of Chrome to force through changes on how the web functions as “disturbing” and “chilling”.
Google in turn has promised to delay its iframe changes though they are still coming — whether we like it or not — in January 2022. And, for Gilbertson this is what sounds the alarm: it confirms that Chrome is now too dominant, Google too influential and the future of the web and how it operates is now in its hands. This is a sobering warning for both casual browsers and developers, particularly casual developers unable to keep up with the changes Google makes.
“The web is not a place just for professional developers, it’s a place anyone can build pretty darn near anything, and it certainly isn’t a place where Chrome gets to dictate the tools we use or who can participate,” says Gilbertson. “The web is for everyone, not just developers.”
As for anyone tempted to quit Chrome, Gilbertson concludes: “Just a friendly reminder, Firefox is an excellent web browser.“
Originally published by forbes