{"id":46379,"date":"2025-01-09T14:14:09","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T19:14:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/?p=46379"},"modified":"2025-03-04T15:27:46","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T20:27:46","slug":"microsoft-edge-slurps-tabs-from-chrome-without-permission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/2025\/01\/09\/microsoft-edge-slurps-tabs-from-chrome-without-permission\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft Edge Slurps Tabs From Chrome Without Permission"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brandon Vigliarolo<\/a> (via Hacker<\/a> News<\/a>):<\/p>\n

Buried within Edge’s browser settings on Windows PCs is code that goes well beyond a one-time import of favorites and stored passwords, and has been present in some form as far back as mid-2022<\/a> at least. It gives gives Edge the ability to import practically<\/a> all browser data from Chrome each time Redmond’s browser is launched. <\/p>

Ostensibly a way for Microsoft to simplify the process of getting Windows users to switch to Edge, the feature has a classic<\/a> Microsoft problem: it’s right now doing so without full permission, according to users. As the Windows maker is wont to do, it’ll also sync<\/a> that data to the cloud too, provided users are signed into a Microsoft account - not great if you had intended to keep your Chrome and Edge environments separated.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

Tom Warren<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

I never imported my data into Microsoft Edge, nor did I confirm whether I wanted to import my tabs. But here was Edge automatically opening after a Windows update with all the Chrome tabs I’d been working on. I didn’t even realize I was using Edge at first, and I was confused why all my tabs were suddenly logged out.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

“Always have access to your recent browsing data each time you browse on Microsoft Edge,” reads Microsoft’s description of the feature in Edge. This setting was disabled, and I had never been asked to turn it on.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

Microsoft displays a big blue accept button to encourage Windows users to enable the feature, with a darker “not now” button if you want to opt out.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

The button to opt in simply says Accept<\/strong>, but at least the Now now<\/strong> button is of the same size and looks like a button, unlike on iOS<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Thomas Claburn<\/a>:<\/p>\n

In a report<\/a> [PDF] titled, “Over the Edge: How Microsoft’s Design Tactics Compromise Free Browser Choice”, the public benefit browser org argues that Windows users are encouraged to use Microsoft Edge and deterred from other options.<\/p>

“Over the Edge” focuses specifically on Microsoft Edge and alleges manipulative design patterns – sometimes referred to as “dark patterns” or “deceptive patterns” – that push people towards a preferred outcome when presented with a choice in a visual interface.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

Previously:<\/p>\n