Following in the footsteps of its desktop counterpart, Google Chrome is reportedly gearing up to add ‘Allow this time’ one-time permission to its Android mobile app, aiming to offer users more granular control over their camera, location, and microphone access on websites.
Insiders from Canary, the experimental channel for the browser, have recently identified a new flag named #one-time-permission on the Android version. While the feature is currently non-functional, its presence on the experimental channel hints at a potential expansion of one-time permissions to the mobile platform. Shared by user @Leopeva64 on X, the flag’s description indicates its experimental nature, stating, “Enables experimental one-time permissions for Geolocation, Microphone, and Camera – Mac, Windows, Linux, ChromeOS, Android, Fuchsia, Lacros.”
Originally introduced in Chrome for desktop version 116 last summer, this feature permits users to grant temporary access to their location data. The ‘Allow this time’ option appears on the address bar, providing users with a mechanism to grant short-term permissions to websites. The duration is limited to the current ongoing interaction with a website.
Imagine this: instead of committing to full access or outright denial, you’ll have an ‘Allow this time’ option. Need your location for a quick delivery app search? Grant it temporarily. Want to use the microphone for one voice message? You’ve got it. This granular control puts you back in charge of your data and privacy.
While the feature is not yet operational on the mobile version, the presence of the flag suggests that Google Chrome is actively exploring the possibility of extending one-time permissions to its Android app. The move aligns with the browser’s commitment to enhancing user control and privacy across various platforms, offering users a more nuanced approach to managing website access to sensitive functionalities.
We will update this article when ‘Allow this time’ one-time permission begins rolling out on Chrome for Android.
Featured image: Google
Hillary Keverenge
2121 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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