14
Companies now block older browser versions from accessing their websites! (europe.pub)
submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by to c/browsers@programming.dev
10 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

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

all 10 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[โ€“] 9 points 4 months ago (5 children)

If some crappy website gives me this, then I'm never visiting them again. Good riddance.

Also, it's probably super easy to trick the sites given how you can change your browser's fingerprint (or whatever it's called).

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 5 child comments
    •
    • [โ€“] 5 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    Dev here, there are actual reasons to do this beyond control. It's a small percentage of the overall population of users who require old browsers. Financially not worth the dev time, and most especially maintenance time for fallback behaviors. Over time there are upgrades and new features added to the browser and to the rendering engines that make our lives much easier or add much desired functionality for users. Users on old browsers may not have these and bringing that functionality is either impossible or cost far exceeds that which is pulled in from the the few.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [โ€“] [S] 2 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    Yes that is true, however a warning "use at your own risk" would suffice rather than "you can not use the web anymore, upgrade to a major corp browser to use"

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [โ€“] 1 point 3 months ago

    It's not that, though. It's 'use the current version of the browser you're already using'. Unless you're on, like, original edge, or Netscape Navigator, or smth else crazy. Sorry to say, but purposefully using a very put of date browser is a stupid idea in most cases.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
    • [โ€“] 4 points 4 months ago

    User agent based blocking is stupid, but also, you should really, really keep your browser up to date.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
    •