Microsoft has revealed that it is to block rival internet browsers by default when Family Features filters are applied in Windows 10. The ban, according to Microsoft, is designed to protect children by preventing them from bypassing website blacklists. As a result, kids using Windows 10 under family filters will be locked to using the Internet Explorer or Edge browsers, unless a parent or guardian has specifically whitelisted another browser.
While Microsoft does not list the browsers banned by the kid-friendly filter by name, it does say: “Most commonly used browsers don’t have web filtering. To keep your children safer, we’ll automatically block these browsers on their devices. You can always choose to allow your child to use other browsers.” By “most commonly used,” we can assume that Microsoft is at least referring to Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, and probably Opera and Vivaldi, too, given their Chromium-based architectures.
Previously, this browser block was optional, dependent on the parent activating it. Now, it is activated by default.
While, on the face of it, the move appears well-intentioned, it is arguable that inflicting Microsoft’s own browsers on a generation of kids is tantamount to child cruelty in itself, especially while us adults indulge ourselves with Chrome and Firefox, which take 52% and 6% of the browser market, respectively, according to NetMarketShare.
That’s actually not a bad idea.