INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Getting users to subscribe to sites is already difficult enough for publishers but now the latest version of Apple's Safari browser is
enabling users to read content locked behind a paywall for free.The latest update to the browser, which began rolling out to users at the
end of September, prevents sites from detecting when Safari users have the browser's private browsing mode enabled.Just like Google's
incognito mode, private browsing temporarily prevents publishers from reading or writing cookies to a user's smartphone or computer and
this makes it impossible for a paywall to detect how much content a reader has consumed
Since the paywall is unable to verify how many articles a user has read, it simply allows them to access premium content without a
subscription.Publishers had previously implemented a number of countermeasures to prevent users from visiting their sites while in incognito
mode but unfortunately, Safari's private browsing feature is able to bypass these measures.Despite the popularity of Apple's iPhone and
Mac products, far fewer Americans use Safari to browse the web and instead prefer to use Google's Chrome browser
According to Statcounter, Safari controls just nine percent of the US desktop browser market.However, Safari users are more likely to pay
for news and for many news outlets, they often represent a majority of their subscribers.SVP of strategic initiatives at the News Media
Alliance, Danielle Coffey explained to DIGIDAY that while private browsing mode helps protects users' privacy, its hurting news
companies behind popular web browsers focus on privacy to both appeal to consumers and stay ahead of regulators, expect more media companies
to begin locking their content behind paywalls as the practice of using cookies to let people read a few of their articles is no longer
possible.Protect your privacy online with the best VPN servicesVia DIGIDAY
