ELI5 Anyone?
Google is underestimating my ability to drink all day and forget the internet entirely.
Ah but what you don’t remember is when you’re drunk you go on the Internet and stumble around and talk incoherently
Sadly likely close to the truth…
But this is the 3% that sets trends. I am sure most of us were biggest google simps 10-15 years ago… no so nowadays.
Maps and youtube are only products i have not kicked… yet
DRM for the web.
Basically, if your browser modifies a web page in any way (such as by blocking ads, applying a theme, disabling javascript, whatever), the server would be able to detect this and deny access.
This sound scaring, but we have been working around DRM shit since it’s invention if I recall… Should we still be alarmed?
Google is pushing some bullshit that would allow websites to check if a client (you, your browser, your device) is on the okie-dokey list. If yes, you may enter e. g. Youtube, if not the you’re out. It’s like a bouncer for websites and of course Google would be that bouncer. So you might stand out in the rain if you are using one of the following:
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VPN
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Adblock
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Non-Chromium browser like Firefox
At that point they will just have the Google internet and either you’re in it or you are not.
WEI checks your browser, your extensions and your OS to ensure that a site is not tampered with. Officially it’s to make sure that sites don’t have to deal as much with bots.
Too bad that many of us use adblockers to protect us from malicious ads or remove ads to make a website bearable. Google also happens to distribute ads which makes the fact that adblockers likely won’t work anymore a very concenient coincidence they totally didn’t have in mind.
It’s also possible that non-Chromium browsers (for example Firefox) will stop working due to them either not supporting WEI or not being considered legitimate by whoever will do the checks.
Website: Hello, Name and ID
Chrome: Hello! I’m Chrome by Google and here’s my ID
Website: OK, you are allowed in.
Adblocker: Get Lost Ads!
Website: You leave right now, Goodbye
Although it’s not just adblockers it’s also uncertified browsers
Website: Hello, Name and ID.
Firefox: Hello I am Firefox and here’s my ID.
Website: Your not on our list, GET LOST!
Basically drop „don’t be evil“, split to Alphabet, wait a few years, be evil
This video by Louis Rossman is a pretty good explainer https://yewtu.be/watch?v=0i0Ho-x7s_U
