Google explains why its Chrome Web Store displayed its annoying secure extensions warning for Microsoft Edge

We reported three weeks ago that Google’s Chrome Web Store was displaying a warning to Edge users (and only Edge users) telling them it was unsafe to use Edge if they tried to install a Chrome extension, and suggested they switch to Chrome.

A few days ago, after a bit of an uproar, Google reversed its stance, and the warning disappeared.

Now Google has posted an explanation of their actions, telling  BleepingComputer that they are displaying this alert because Microsoft Edge does not support Google’s Safe Browsing Feature to protect users from malicious extensions.

Microsoft, of course, uses its own Smart Screen technology and insists that it protects Edge users perfectly well. 

[Alt Text: Fiddler Web Debugger screenshot showing msedge.exe querying extension stores for updates every 2-4 hours and querying for updates to /extensionrevocation/v1/threatupdates every 30 minutes.]

— ? Eric Lawrence (@ericlaw) February 23, 2020

The removal of the warning message is confirmatory to the fact that Edge users can use Chrome extensions securely.

We, however, do not think this will be the last scuffle the two companies have as Microsoft continues to struggle for browser relevance again.

Via Techdows, WindowsLatest