Stuart LangridgeMay 7, 2023
seen people post an image about how many browsers are Chromium under the covers these days, except Firefox, which is true (and why I use Firefox). Here's an addition to that bit of knowledge, because of the #AppleBrowserBan .
Show threadLiz
@sil I’m using DuckDuckGo on my iPhone/iPad. Where does this fit in?
May 7, 2023 at 10:34amWeb
Show threadStuartMay 7, 2023
@lizmeyer all browsers on iPhone/iPad devices are just wrappers around safari. Apple doesn't currently allow other browser engines on those devices.
Show threadStuart LangridgeMay 7, 2023
@lizmeyer All web browsers on iOS are required to be Apple's browser under the covers by Apple; you're not allowed to use your own browser engine, so DDG can't choose to do that. There are also certain things that Safari itself can do that other browsers (even though they have to be Safari) cannot. https://open-web-advocacy.org/walled-gardens-report/ has lots more info on this from us at @owa, if you fancy a long read :-)
Bringing Competition to Walled Gardens - Open Web Advocacy

The full Bringing Competition to Walled Gardens report, published by Open Web Advocacy.

Open Web Advocacy
Show threadQazmMay 7, 2023

@sil @lizmeyer @owa

Same on Android, more or less: The DuckDuckGo app doesn't come with its own browser but is a frame around the system web view. That means it's essentially Chromium or Chrome with a "delete cookies" button in most cases.

Which is probably still a step up, but eh.

Show threadCharles RoperMay 7, 2023

@Qazm @sil @lizmeyer @owa On Android you can genuinely install alternative browser engines and even alternative webviews

Eg https://wiki.mozilla.org/Mobile/GeckoView

It’s just that DDG and many other companies choose not to use alternatives. Skinned Chromium browsers on mobile are a mess. They seem to be primarily a marketing tool. I’m pretty cynical about them.

Mobile/GeckoView - MozillaWiki