Google Chrome: new location query is less intrusive

In almost every modern browser, websites have the ability to request the user’s location. However, before the data can be shared, authorization must be requested. The previous search of the Chrome browser was often experienced as annoying. Currently, users see a notification box at the top of the page. This indicates that the page wants to access the location. Users then have the option to allow or deny the request. Because sites often ask for permission automatically, many users decline the request or simply click away. The pop-up that appears can seem intrusive in some cases.

Requests can now be ignored

According to Ghacks, the developers revised the mechanism. Chrome now has the option to show the permission request next to the address bar. By clicking on the appropriate button, the page can then access the location. Alternatively, the request can also be expressly rejected. However, the request will automatically disappear if the user does not respond within twelve seconds. This makes it possible to ignore the request completely.

The innovation should be available to all web browser users in the future. However, in the current version, the feature is not activated by default. If you want to see the new location queries, you can activate the feature through the experimental flag settings. To do this, the options “permission-chip”, “permission-chip-gesture” and “permission-chip-request-type” must be set to “Enabled”. The user then only needs to restart the browser to make the change visible.