cross-posted from: https://discuss.tchncs.de/post/5707453
The Chrome team says they’re not going to pursue Web Integrity but…
it is piloting a new Android WebView Media Integrity API that’s “narrowly scoped, and only targets WebViews embedded in apps.”
They say its because the team “heard your feedback.” I’m sure that’s true, and I can wildly speculate that all the current anti-trust attention was a factor too.
Many said we couldn’t stop it. We, like many, applied pressure, and they backed the fuck off.
We have no room for complacency now though. Google cannot be allowed to dictate web standards. Firefox needs to eat into that Chromium market share.
Never forgive. Never forget.
“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Nope, I do not believe one single word. They will just wait and try again BS wording it differently.
Today “only WebViews embedded in apps”
Tomorrow “YouTube requires an app”
Bye YouTube! It’s been real, and it’s been fun, but it hasn’t been real fun.
Hmmm. I really hope it’s not a bait and switch. I lost all trust.
It seems to me that as more people are fighting or ditching them, google are having to be more and more desperate and controlling to maintain their position. Which in turn leads to yet more people getting fed up with them. I’m not sure they have anywhere else to go tbh. Alternatives to all of their ‘services’ are constantly becoming more viable and more visible, whilst they are becoming shitter and more hated.
They’ll just rebrand it, like FLoC became Topics API.
And will quietly release it when the backlash has diminished.
“We heard your feedback. We don’t want to hear your feedback.”
Chrome is feeling its numbers drop, so they’re backing off until people stop paying attention. Then they’ll go right ahead with the plan.
Since Android Webview is Chromium, this reads to me like it’s making it into Chrome anyway.
It’s behind some restrictions, but now that it’s deployed Google can- test it in live environments, making sure everything works
- more easily enable it for Chrome proper with fewer to no restrictions
They’ll probably do this in the future using a staged rollout similar to what they did for Youtube and adblockers.
The fact that it’s making it into production means the only concession Google made was admitting that they know that some of us vocally oppose it.
I’d continue encouraging friends and family to use Firefox.
