EFF 2023 Analysis
Title: Your Computer Should Say What You Tell It To Say
Authors: Cory Doctorow (EFF), Jacob Hoffman-Andrews (EFF)
Abstract/Summary: Google is adding code to Chrome that will send tamper-proof information about your operating system and other software, and share it with websites. Google says this will reduce ad fraud. In practice, it reduces your control over your own computer, and is likely to mean that some websites will block access for everyone who’s not using an “approved” operating system and browser. It also raises the barrier to entry for new browsers, something Google employees acknowledged in an unofficial explainer for the new feature, Web Environment Integrity (WEI).
If you’re scratching your head at this point, we don’t blame you. This is pretty abstract! We’ll unpack it a little below - and then we’ll explain why this is a bad idea that Google should not pursue.