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Google's unloved plan to fix web permissions gathers support

The Register · Thomas Claburn · last updated

Google has been testing a new way for websites to ask permission to access sensitive browser controls, such as the microphone and camera, despite longstanding opposition from Mozilla and Apple. Following recent refinements to the proposal, Mozilla now appears to be warming to the changes.

The debate is around the implementation of a proposed web specification called Page Embedded Permission Control (PEPC), which would allow browsers to render HTML buttons that make permission requests for access to the device camera, microphone, and geolocation data.

The proposal touches on a crucial question: whose interests does the browser serve? The user, the website owner, or the browser maker?

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