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Companies now block older browser versions from accessing their websites! (lemmy.world)
submitted 5 months ago by to c/privacy@lemmy.ml
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/47871545

๐ŸŒ Many companies now block older browser versions from accessing their websites!

This follows many browser makers ending updates 4 older operating systems, leaving legacy devices unable to use web services without an OS upgrade.

This kinda reminds me of the Java website block by browsers a few years ago, just in reverse. (Revenge? ;)

Old Android versions are also increasingly blocked from accessing the Google appstore.

Truly about security or perhaps Planned Obsolescence?

Update: "old devices can only use old os > old os can only use old browser > old browser cannot use web> poor uneducated people = screwed once again!"

"Only suggesting corporate browsers, kinda like an ad."

Screenshot of a notification on a website: Sorry, we no longer support your browser version. Please upgrade your browser or use the ***** mobile app. In order to provide new and engaging experiences for our customers, we require the use of the latest browser versions. This ensures that you can have the best possible experience with additional benefits including improved privacy and security. Please upgrade to the latest version of the following browsers: Chrome Edge Firefox Safari Opera
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[โ€“] 20 points 5 months ago (3 children)

I think this is not a clean cut case of evil planned obsolescence. There are valid security concerns, as browsers are a common attack vector. You should get that updated, also to protect your privacy while surfing online. So for a banking site or similar, I kind of get it. (I recognize there is a possible conundrum when people can't go bank in person because the bank no longer has branches and/or get excluded by their old hardware/economic reasons from doing it online. Should they be able to choose risking it if the bank knows about a flaw they then leave exposed? Shit's complicated.)

That being said I'm sure this banner of corporate concern was not primarily motivated by the security and privacy of their users.

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  • [โ€“] [S] 7 points 5 months ago (2 children)

    Yeah if it was just the login page of a bank or something it would make sense, but these are all kind of websites, blocking complete access for no reason. They could put a warning instead "Use at your own risk" if they wanted and not just tell people to get corp browsers "CHROME EDGE FIREFOX SAFARI OPERA" ;)

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  • [โ€“] 4 points 5 months ago

    Even for a non-bank website, I imagine there is an octogenarian federal judge somewhere in the States who is still puzzled by fax machines who made a ruling holding website owners liable if they didn't do this when they know of any vulnerability that could affect the user. So there is a possible legal angle as well.

    The people who use browsers other than the ones listed will either never see this message or know how to upgrade on their own.

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  • [โ€“] 1 point 5 months ago

    A Use at your own risk disclaimer leads to a significant increase in support tickets or negative customer perceptions. Being able to use ES6/ESnext features in your javascript codebase is really nice.

    I'm not a fan of this being the current reality but much prefer this putting up this type of disclaimer over having to support internet explorer or safari.

    In an ideal world there would be no need for any of this but consumers consistently choose for whatever is easiest for them in the moment and it leads to negative outcomes for al of us.

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