4 ms·

Can Google really do this? What if I'm using Safari on OS X, or Firefox on Linux?

probably_wrong 3y ago
Well, who's going to stop them? As for other browsers: I guess that you'd still be able to access my website, but YouTube and GMail will just show you a generic "This browser is not supported" or, at best, "Your browser had been deemed insecure. Please use a secure browser". If we go full Nostradamus the most likely result is that Safari will play ball (because they are already doing something similar), Firefox will play ball (because they no longer have a spine), they'll implement whatever Google says, and yet another portion of the web will be closed to those who don't dance to Google's tune. I hope you're not too attached to youtube-dl or your adblocker.
devsda 3y ago
This not only requires Google but websites also need to implement. The problem is given the number of Google's services, it can easily "nudge" site owners into implementing it. They can make it mandatory for adwords or analytics or any other service that they have for webmasters and everyone will have to jump in while it is still technically voluntary. If your $bank choses to implement it, then it can very well mandate only windows or osx clients. Then you can't use firefox on linux. This may sound like conspiracy theory but we already have examples of similar restrictions on android apps with safetynet. Bank apps already refuse to run on custom roms. It will not be limited to banks. Someone mentioned that McDonald's app doesn't work unless you pass safetynet. That is how ridiculous it can become. Edit: fixed typos
thesuperbigfrog 3y ago
If your choice of operating system and web browser are not WEI-compliant, you can expect something like: "Sorry, this site requires a certified web browser. Your browser does not meet the security requirements that this website requires. Please upgrade to the lastest Google Chrome and remove any uncertified plugins."
count 3y ago
Then you're out of luck. That's the whole point.
freeAgent 3y ago
Firefox on Linux will likely lead to problems accessing various services/websites.

Well, who's going to stop them? As for other browsers: I guess that you'd still be able to access my website, but YouTube and GMail will just show you a generic "This browser is not supported" or, at best, "Your browser had been deemed insecure. Please use a secure browser". If we go full Nostradamus the most likely result is that Safari will play ball (because they are already doing something similar), Firefox will play ball (because they no longer have a spine), they'll implement whatever Google says, and yet another portion of the web will be closed to those who don't dance to Google's tune. I hope you're not too attached to youtube-dl or your adblocker.

devsda 3y ago

This not only requires Google but websites also need to implement. The problem is given the number of Google's services, it can easily "nudge" site owners into implementing it. They can make it mandatory for adwords or analytics or any other service that they have for webmasters and everyone will have to jump in while it is still technically voluntary. If your $bank choses to implement it, then it can very well mandate only windows or osx clients. Then you can't use firefox on linux. This may sound like conspiracy theory but we already have examples of similar restrictions on android apps with safetynet. Bank apps already refuse to run on custom roms. It will not be limited to banks. Someone mentioned that McDonald's app doesn't work unless you pass safetynet. That is how ridiculous it can become. Edit: fixed typos

thesuperbigfrog 3y ago

If your choice of operating system and web browser are not WEI-compliant, you can expect something like: "Sorry, this site requires a certified web browser. Your browser does not meet the security requirements that this website requires. Please upgrade to the lastest Google Chrome and remove any uncertified plugins."

count 3y ago

Then you're out of luck. That's the whole point.

freeAgent 3y ago

Firefox on Linux will likely lead to problems accessing various services/websites.