Google Chrome Follows Safari, Edge In Blocking Flash Content

Google Chrome has decided that it will “de-emphasize” Flash content starting next month and will subsequently focus on HTML5.

On Tuesday, Chrome’s Flash curator Anthony LaForge published a post on the Google Chrome team’s official blog, stating that the Web browser will block Flash content in favor of HTML5.

In his explanation why Chrome is ditching Flash, LaForge cited that more and more sites use HTML5 over the Adobe Flash Player due to the former’s practicality over the latter.

According to LaForge, Flash consumes a lot of power and also takes some time to load, not to mention the security issues that come along with it. Hence, it is just the right time for Chrome to finally move on from Flash and ensure a faster and more battery-efficient performance of the browser with HTML 5.

However, the Google Chrome team understands that some sites still use Flash, so it is giving users the option of enabling Flash content whenever they stumble upon sites that utilize the multimedia software.

The auto-block feature will arrive with the upcoming Google Chrome 53 that is slated for a September release. Furthermore, another update, called Chrome 55, is expected to come in December, and this one will offer the best implementation of the safer and faster browsing experience with HTML5, as per Engadget.

The Google Chrome team’s decision to de-emphasize Flash starting next month comes after Apple’s browser Safari and Microsoft’s browser Edge confirmed that they are already moving away from Flash.

Two months ago, Apple developer Ricky Mondello announced that the upcoming macOS Sierra will debut this year with its Safari browser having HTML5 default implementation, according to The Next Web.

In April, Microsoft added a feature to its Edge Web browser that would automatically pause Flash content in hopes of reducing power consumption of its devices.