In-App Browsers: the Worst Erosion of User Choice You Haven't Heard of (2024)

Posted4 months agoActive4 months ago

wicket

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open-web-advocacy.orgTech Discussionstory

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In-App BrowsersUser ChoiceWebsite Management

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In-App Browsers

User Choice

Website Management

The web's last bastion of freedom is under siege as in-app browsers quietly erode user choice, sparking a heated debate about the unseen consequences of apps hijacking the browsing experience. While some argue that iOS's SFSafariViewController offers a safer alternative by locking users to Safari, others point out that even this doesn't entirely prevent tracking or injection of unwanted code. A key concern is that users often unwittingly surrender their browsing autonomy when apps implement their own browsers, blurring the lines between app and browser. As the duopoly tightens its grip on native app distribution, the web's independence hangs in the balance.

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01Story posted
Aug 28, 2025 at 9:29 AM EDT
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Aug 28, 2025 at 11:13 AM EDT
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Discussion (5 comments)

Showing 5 comments

giuliomagnifico

4 months ago

1 reply

But it’s an issue only Android:

> While iOS's remote tab in-app browser (SFSafariViewController) prevents the app injecting JavaScript, it is locked to Safari (or more specifically the WkWebView) and thus overrides the user's choice of default browser.

They are complaining that the in-app browser does not allow user customization if I understood correctly.

That seems like a present, but minor issue. The important thing is security/privacy to me, which is less strong on Android if I understand correctly.

beardyw

4 months ago

2 replies

I think you are missing the point. If you transfer from an app to a web page, most people will assume they are in their browser of choice. If an app implements its own browser you are not, and have no idea what security you may or may not have, and may continue to use the browser for other stuff. It is a genuine concern for any platform.

netsharc

4 months ago

I assume the apps track how long you're in the browser, what URLs you open (does the in-app webview forward the URL requests through the app?), I don't know if it can detect how far along you're scrolling in the webview, if it can, then it knows what parts of the webpage has your attention...

It's no wonder most social media apps use in-app browsers.

giuliomagnifico

4 months ago

Oh okay I haven’t even thought about that, because I can easily recognize that I’m not inside my browser but in the app-browser.

But obviously not all the people can make this distinction. As not all the “normal” people are on Hacker News obviously :)

vinibrito

4 months ago

With all the recent duopoly increases in native app distribution and installation, the web indeed seems to be the last "safe haven" for the masses. Hopefully it stays that way.

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ID: 45051920Type: storyLast synced: 11/20/2025, 11:38:14 AM

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