Google resumes its attack on the URL bar, hides full addresses on Chrome 86 (androidpolice.com)

Article summary

Google is testing a new feature in Chrome 86 that hides full URLs in the address bar, showing only the domain name by default. This feature can be opted out of by right-clicking the address bar and selecting 'Always show full URLs'. The company claims this change is intended to help users identify legitimate websites more easily. The feature has been met with criticism from some users who find it inconvenient and potentially harmful to security.

Main themes

• URL hiding
• browser security
• user experience
• Google's motivations
• decentralization of the internet
• power user needs

What commenters say

• Hiding URLs can make it harder for users to identify legitimate websites and may lead to security issues.
• The feature is inconvenient for power users who rely on full URLs for various tasks.
• Google's motivation for hiding URLs may be to promote its own services, such as AMP, and undermine the decentralized nature of the internet.
• Some users argue that showing full URLs is not necessary for security and that other indicators, such as the lock icon, are sufficient.
• The change may benefit Google as a company by making it easier to keep users on Google-hosted content.
• Others argue that the feature is not a significant issue and that users can simply opt out if they prefer to see full URLs.
• The decision to hide URLs may be seen as a sign of Google's disregard for user preferences and its pursuit of its own interests.
• Some commenters point out that other browsers, such as Safari, have similar features and do not seem to have significant security issues as a result.