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Chrome will start warning users if a site might unexpectedly bill them

Chrome will start warning users if a site might unexpectedly bill them

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Another feature for Chrome’s December update

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Stock imagery of the Chrome logo.
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Starting with the release of Chrome 71 in December, your browser will warn you about sites that might try and bill you without your full knowledge or consent. Specifically, the measures are targeting mobile billing services, where little more than your phone number is needed to place additional charges on your monthly bill. According to Google, millions of Chrome users encounter pages with unclear or insufficient mobile subscription information every month.

In order to not get flagged, sites will have to make sure they’re being upfront about any charges that may hit Chrome users. That means making billing information obvious, not trying to obscure it by placing gray text on a white background, for example, and not using a fee structure that obscures the true cost. Chrome 71 users will receive a warning when visiting unclear billing pages on sites that don’t comply.

Attempting to access a page that might charge you without your full consent will generate this warning message.
Attempting to access a page that might charge you without your full consent will generate this warning message.
Image: Google

These all seem like sensible, common sense measures. Combined with Chrome 71’s stricter handling of abusive ads they should make the web a more pleasant and safe place to browse.