Google Chrome will soon block notifications from "disruptive" websites
India Today
A Google spokesperson stated that the company chooses to put an emphasis on the need to protect Chrome users from the many rampant forms of spam on the internet.
Google Chrome might soon get an update that could bring a sign of relief for users. The company is reportedly working on an update that blocks unwanted notifications from websites that Google deems “disruptive.”
A 9to5Google report stated that a new code change will allow Chrome to automatically revoke a website’s permission to push notifications to users. Moreover, Chrome can also block any future attempts made by the website if it makes an attempt to ask for permission to push such notifications again.
Users might unknowingly or accidentally click “Allow” when a website might ask for permission to send notifications, assuming that it was for permission to use cookies. In such instances, the websites might ping users with unwanted/ unnecessary notifications. Things are even worse if you end up subscribed to Chrome notifications from a website that sends outright spam.
Google did find a way around it a few years ago, allowing users to opt for "quieting", a notification prompt from websites that seek permission in a misleading way. Now, Google is trying to make it even tougher for such websites.
Chrome will automatically stop notifications from a harmful site altogether, as opposed to the current method that only notifies you while giving you the choice to either allow or deny permission.
The new update should not ideally have an effect on regular websites that send notifications. It will only block notifications and permissions from those websites that Chrome deems “disruptive.” It is currently not clear whether this will differ from the existing list of sites whose notification prompts have been quieted or if this is a separate method of a deterrent.
A Google spokesperson stated that the company chooses to put an emphasis on the need to protect Chrome users from the many rampant forms of spam on the internet. “Notification spam is one of the top complaint reports we receive from Chrome users. This feature is focused on addressing this problem by ensuring users only receive relevant notifications. We see this work as acting on behalf of users to protect their interests, and is an intervention that is under user control and discretion,” the statement read.
