Is Chrome’s Idle Detection really a threat to privacy?

IdleDetector APIChrome 94 was recently released with a new feature: Idle Detection.

Specifically, there’s a new JavaScript API called IdleDetector. It reports two things to the JS code of the web page you’re viewing: keyboard/mouse activity, and if your screen is locked or not.

Much has been said about the diabolical nature of this new capability in Chrome…

Thing is, while we can be forgiven for doubting Google’s motives in adding this feature, it just so happens that Idle Detection is actually quite safe – and useful!

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