Mozilla Says Chrome’s Latest Feature Enables Surveillance

upstart writes:

Mozilla Says Chrome's Latest Feature Enables Surveillance:

Chrome 94 has officially dropped. As is always the case with a new browser version, there's plenty to be excited about. However, there are also some items to be skeptical about, including a feature Mozilla claims enables surveillance on you.

[...] Chrome 94 introduces a controversial idle detection API. Basically, websites can ask Chrome to report when a user with a web page open is idle on their device. It's not just about your usage of Chrome or a particular website: If you've stepped away from your computer and aren't using any applications, Chrome can tell the website you're not actively using your computer.

As you might expect, developers love this new feature-anything that can provide them with more information regarding how users are interacting with their apps is a positive. It's enabled by default in Chrome 94, but it might not be as bad as it sounds. Like using your webcam or microphone, a prompt will ask your permission before using your idle data on a particular website.

The API comes with its fair share of opponents, including rival browser-maker Mozilla. The folks behind Firefox say that it creates an opportunity for surveillance capitalism." Mozilla's Web Standards Lead Tantek Celik commented on GitHub, saying:

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