In-App Browsers: The worst erosion of user choice you haven't heard of (2024)
13 days ago
- #web-ecosystem
- #privacy
- #browser-choice
- In-App Browsers undermine user privacy, stifle innovation, and trap users within apps.
- Tech giants use in-app browsers to bypass users' default browser choices, harming the web ecosystem.
- Popular apps like Instagram and TikTok inject JavaScript into third-party websites, raising privacy concerns.
- iOS and Android offer system components (SFSafariViewController and Android Custom Tabs) that can preserve privacy if used correctly.
- Disrespecting browser choice stifles competition and innovation in the browser market.
- Proposed remedies include mandating respect for default browsers, updating system browsers, and providing user opt-outs.
- The Open Web Advocacy group is pushing for global fixes to ensure users' browser choices are respected.