The Brave and DuckDuckGo browsers have recently added updates that allow users to directly bypass AMP pages hosted by Google.
I’m sure it will come as a major surprise to everyone that Google did not take kindly to this news one bit. DuckDuckGo and Brave have individually gone on record multiple times to criticize the search giant for it’s less than savory business practices, especially where user privacy and security is concerned. AMP pages were lauded by Google (big whoop) as being a revolutionary part of making internet access faster. They’d load quicker, animations and videos would run smoothly, and there’d be consistency across desktops and mobile devices alike. Of course, as with any step forward, there are sometimes two steps taken backwards. Almost immediately many outlets and professionals from the tech industry criticized Google for unfairly utilizing its monopoly to establish AMP pages. Website developers and publishers would have to abandon their current layouts and design new webpages that specifically cater to Google’s specs. Moreover, by virtue of Google having patented AMP pages, the company would have priority on all advertising across such platforms. Finally, AMP pages would also allow Google to more effectively track user data, which is quite literally the opposite direction of where users want their data going.
While data tracking may seem like a small enough price for a quicker data stream to some, the tradeoff also involves Google further cementing its monopoly and giving publishers a hard time while doing so. Platforms such as Brave and DuckDuckGo have said as much in the past, and have decided to act on it as well. However, spokespeople from Google responded to the criticism against AMP pages by deeming the allegations “misleading” and nothing more than a repetition of false claims. The spokesperson at hand apparently took particular offense to a statement by Brave, which called AMP an ineffective measure. Google vehemently denied such claims, reminding users that during the technology’s inception the average loading time of a webpage on 3G data was 19 seconds.
It’s very unlikely that AMP pages are going to go away anytime soon. Despite their disadvantages, the technology offers just enough convenience that most individuals will look the other way. Even as we speak, or rather read, Google is working on a second generation successor to the technology. Try as they might, Brave and DuckDuckGo don’t have the muscle to back up their claims against the technology.
H/T: TR.
Read next: Barack Obama Addresses Stanford University Over The Harmful Spread Of Misinformation Via Social Media
I’m sure it will come as a major surprise to everyone that Google did not take kindly to this news one bit. DuckDuckGo and Brave have individually gone on record multiple times to criticize the search giant for it’s less than savory business practices, especially where user privacy and security is concerned. AMP pages were lauded by Google (big whoop) as being a revolutionary part of making internet access faster. They’d load quicker, animations and videos would run smoothly, and there’d be consistency across desktops and mobile devices alike. Of course, as with any step forward, there are sometimes two steps taken backwards. Almost immediately many outlets and professionals from the tech industry criticized Google for unfairly utilizing its monopoly to establish AMP pages. Website developers and publishers would have to abandon their current layouts and design new webpages that specifically cater to Google’s specs. Moreover, by virtue of Google having patented AMP pages, the company would have priority on all advertising across such platforms. Finally, AMP pages would also allow Google to more effectively track user data, which is quite literally the opposite direction of where users want their data going.
While data tracking may seem like a small enough price for a quicker data stream to some, the tradeoff also involves Google further cementing its monopoly and giving publishers a hard time while doing so. Platforms such as Brave and DuckDuckGo have said as much in the past, and have decided to act on it as well. However, spokespeople from Google responded to the criticism against AMP pages by deeming the allegations “misleading” and nothing more than a repetition of false claims. The spokesperson at hand apparently took particular offense to a statement by Brave, which called AMP an ineffective measure. Google vehemently denied such claims, reminding users that during the technology’s inception the average loading time of a webpage on 3G data was 19 seconds.
It’s very unlikely that AMP pages are going to go away anytime soon. Despite their disadvantages, the technology offers just enough convenience that most individuals will look the other way. Even as we speak, or rather read, Google is working on a second generation successor to the technology. Try as they might, Brave and DuckDuckGo don’t have the muscle to back up their claims against the technology.
H/T: TR.
Read next: Barack Obama Addresses Stanford University Over The Harmful Spread Of Misinformation Via Social Media
