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If you care about privacy, it’s time to try a new web browser

nytimes.com

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Re: If you care about privacy, it’s time to try a new web browser

#61

Post by knubie »

adrianh wrote: post #11

The author was testing these browsers on an iPhone — but neglected to note that Apple actually prevents other browser engines on iOS. So if you use Firefox or Brave on an iPhone, you’re simply using Safari with a different “skin.” This skin can clearly do some content blocking, and it can provide a different browser UI — but it cannot change the fundamental web technologies that are available in the browser. As such,…

Actually safari has implemented some web standards before Firefox and chrome. For example beforeInput events that allow rich text editing.

Re: If you care about privacy, it’s time to try a new web browser

#62

Post by xnx »

saurik wrote: post #56
xnx wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me the primary characteristic of IE6 was not that it had a large market share like Chrome, but that it didn't update for over 5 years. Chrome is nothing like IE6 in that regard. The web would be better off if iOS users could benefit from the full Chrome codebase.

Yeah: Chrome is the new IE4, pushing ridiculous new technologies simply because they can.

It's interesting to look back at the difference technologies/tags that survived and which were forgotten: XMLHttpRequest, VML, marquee, etc.

Chrome's dominance wasn't enough to get something useful like WebSQL to stick.

Re: If you care about privacy, it’s time to try a new web browser

#63

Post by smitty1e »

paulcole wrote: post #57

After trying Duck Duck Go and Brave’s products, it turns out I actually don’t care much about privacy. I care much more about using a product I like and that works the way I want. Has anyone else felt this way?

And the companies who scoop up information that doesn't seem relevant at the time may not, themselves be doing anything you'd disapprove of.

Now, when those companies are purchased, hacked, or have some policy shift you don't fancy, there may be issues.

I've been online a couple decades, so I'm a bit sanguine. If somebody really wants to doxx me or get me fired or do more than the annual ID theft on the credit card, what am I to do?

Take reasonable precautions and don't over-worry seems like the reasonable approach.

Re: If you care about privacy, it’s time to try a new web browser

#64

Post by Meniteos4 »

It's ironic that in the 90s, people were afraid IE dominance would destroy the internet. Now with Microsoft adopting chrome means we are faced with google destroying the internet. Microsoft screwed the pooch abandoning its browser and adopting chrome/chromium.

Re: If you care about privacy, it’s time to try a new web browser

#65

Post by city41 »

xoa wrote: post #29
adrianh wrote: post #11

The author was testing these browsers on an iPhone — but neglected to note that Apple actually prevents other browser engines on iOS. So if you use Firefox or Brave on an iPhone, you’re simply using Safari with a different “skin.” This skin can clearly do some content blocking, and it can provide a different browser UI — but it cannot change the fundamental web technologies that are available in the browser. As such,…

> As such, Safari is basically the new IE6 — it lags all other modern browsers and prevents websites from taking advantage of nice new features. I strongly disagree with you. The new IE6 is Chrome: overwhelming dominance of the web to the extent that Google can dictate "standards" themselves and users begin to lose the ability to use other browsers because "site works best(only) in Chrome", and I think that having my…

The web is the only open platform we have ever had and probably will ever have. To shun it for proprietary app stores and OSes is really disheartening. I'm the exact opposite, the more web apps the better. And sadly, Safari is holding the web back. Not only does it miss many features of modern browsers, it's very buggy. I find I have to make work arounds for Safari specific bugs in almost every website I make now.

Re: If you care about privacy, it’s time to try a new web browser

#66

Post by finiteseries »

izacus wrote: post #17
franklyt wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can’t believe this was overlooked by a prestigious publication.

Honestly, I find NYTs privacy articles to be full of errors and deliberate omissions to drive the agenda. It's seriously made me question about their reputation.

I’m still in a state of outrage/shock over their article on the “far right” joining telegram in the millions in the aftermath of the capitol riots.

There I was, a week or two removed from helping my roommate move his gigantic Nigerian family group chat away from WhatsApp when [0] pops up in my HN feed.

They actually implied most of those millions of new Telegram users, 94% of which weren’t even in North America, were motivated entirely by the capitol riots.

Completely omitting the fact the WhatsApp -> FB data sharing message was sent to every single user in the world on that very same day, January 6th.

[0] - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/26/world/europe/telegram-app...

Re: If you care about privacy, it’s time to try a new web browser

#67

Post by t-writescode »

smitty1e wrote: post #60
saurik wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah: Chrome is the new IE4, pushing ridiculous new technologies simply because they can.

'Ridiculous' is unfair. Google has enough technical chops and market heft to set new internet standards and not look as silly as Redmond did in the 90s in the process.

I think you’re equally being unfair to who Microsoft was and employed in the 90s.

Re: If you care about privacy, it’s time to try a new web browser

#68

Post by kd913 »

xoa wrote: post #29
adrianh wrote: post #11

The author was testing these browsers on an iPhone — but neglected to note that Apple actually prevents other browser engines on iOS. So if you use Firefox or Brave on an iPhone, you’re simply using Safari with a different “skin.” This skin can clearly do some content blocking, and it can provide a different browser UI — but it cannot change the fundamental web technologies that are available in the browser. As such,…

> As such, Safari is basically the new IE6 — it lags all other modern browsers and prevents websites from taking advantage of nice new features. I strongly disagree with you. The new IE6 is Chrome: overwhelming dominance of the web to the extent that Google can dictate "standards" themselves and users begin to lose the ability to use other browsers because "site works best(only) in Chrome", and I think that having my…

>I like Firefox a lot on the desktop, but I have no illusions it'd stand in the way of total Chrome domination on its own. The only thing that really throws a wrench in Google's plans is iOS.

The thing that currently is holding Google from extreme derivations is actually Microsoft's edgium I think. Microsoft is one of the few companies out there with enough resources to hold a hostile fork of Chromium capable of easy/fast adoption.

If Chromium decides to do something ridiculously egregious. It is possible for it to 1) not affect Microsoft browsers or 2) for Microsoft to maintain a fork and win marketshare fast.

Re: If you care about privacy, it’s time to try a new web browser

#69

Post by t-writescode »

Meniteos4 wrote: post #64

It's ironic that in the 90s, people were afraid IE dominance would destroy the internet. Now with Microsoft adopting chrome means we are faced with google destroying the internet. Microsoft screwed the pooch abandoning its browser and adopting chrome/chromium.

You’re blaming Microsoft for Google’s near technological monopoly?

Then choosing not to play anymore doesn’t have to be a “blame Microsoft”-worthy event.

Re: If you care about privacy, it’s time to try a new web browser

#70

Post by skrowl »

teekert wrote: post #23
adrianh wrote: post #11

The author was testing these browsers on an iPhone — but neglected to note that Apple actually prevents other browser engines on iOS. So if you use Firefox or Brave on an iPhone, you’re simply using Safari with a different “skin.” This skin can clearly do some content blocking, and it can provide a different browser UI — but it cannot change the fundamental web technologies that are available in the browser. As such,…

I recently switched from Android to iOS and this was super confusing. No plugins, except for on the OS level (like AdGuard) and then those don’t even work in that weird neutered Firefox, only in Safari :s Oh and Bitwarden does not work in FF. It it does work in Safari! So now I, a Firefox by default person switched to Safari (on iOS at least). I wish full Firefox was present.

A lot of people notice that when downgrading from Android to iOS.

Be prepared to no longer be able to easily install new launchers / home apps / emulators / adult apps / etc either.

Hopefully we have you back on the open source side soon!

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