Subj : Google's new plan for the future of the web has a lot of people w
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Tue Jul 25 2023 13:45:04

Google's new plan for the future of the web has a lot of people worried - 
here's why

Date:
Tue, 25 Jul 2023 12:39:44 +0000

Description:
A proposed Web Environment Integrity API may soon require you to run specific 
software to get access to websites.

FULL STORY
======================================================================

The Internet is going crazy (while it still can) over a Google proposition 
that could see some form of DRM reach websites in years to come. 

The Web Environment Integrity Explainer, authored by four Google workers and 
hosted on a GitHub page , introduces the idea that a website could be able to 
request a token that attests key facts about the environment their client 
code is running in in order to ascertain trust over the visitor and their 
browser session, and thus grant access. 

The authors claim that a Web Environment Integrity API would allow web 
servers to evaluate the authenticity of the device, but many unhappy Internet 
users see it as nothing more than a form of DRM. Google evaluating your 
device? 

Passing an environment attestation test would give users a IntegrityToken 
under the proposed scheme, indicating that the requesting environment is 
unmodified and as such, clean. Read more 

 > These are the best privacy tools and anonymous browsers 


 > Google Chrome's cookie-replacing tools are set for launch 


 > Raising concerns over Google Authenticators new features 

The Android Play Integrity API already does this to check that your device 
has not been rooted. Some apps, including banking apps and a number of video 
streaming apps like Netflix, already use this to block access from rooted 
devices over cybersecurity fears and an effort to protect sensitive 
information. 

Google, or at least the workers behind this particular explainer, strongly 
feel that device IDs and other unique identifiers should not be included. 
Instead, they see it as a tool to detect and prevent social media fake 
engagement, non-human traffic, phishing campaigns, bulk hijacking attempts, 
and other malicious activity. 

Since the explainer, the repos GitHub issues forum has been awash with 
complaints, with one calling the idea unethical and against the open web. 
Another calls it a violation of the W3Cs code of ethics, Positive Work 
Environment at W3C: Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, calling it out 
for its discriminatory nature, while another suggests forcing individuals to 
run specific software could be a matter for EU investigation. 

Google did not immediately respond to our request for further comment on the 
proposed Web Environment Integrity API. Any update will be posted here. Check 
out the best VPNs for greater online freedom



======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/googles-new-plan-for-the-future-of-the-web-has-a
-lot-of-people-worried-heres-why


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