Microsoft has announced a significant change in its Edge browser, by announcing the intention to discontinue the window.external.getHostEnvironmentValue() method. This feature, which allows web developers to access information about the browser and platform, will be removed as part of a broader effort to improve user privacy and combat online tracking, especially by eradicating fingerprinting, a technique used to uniquely identify users.
The getHostEnvironmentValue() method is a non-standardized approach that has been used exclusively in Edge. Starting with version 135, scheduled to be released on April 3, 2025, the browser will issue warnings in the development console when this method is used in code. This measure will give developers the opportunity to adjust their sites before the feature is completely eliminated. With the arrival of version 137 in May 2025, getHostEnvironmentValue() will be disabled by default, although developers will have the option to request a temporary extension for their domain, allowing them the necessary time to make the relevant adaptations.
Microsoft aims to promote the use of the new User-Agent Client Hints API standard. This approach provides developers with access to information about the browser and platform in a way that better protects user privacy. With this new system, browsers will have the ability to decide what data to reveal when user environment hints are requested, helping to avoid exposing more sensitive information.
The deprecation plan includes measures for developers to conduct early testing, ensuring that their sites function properly without the obsolete method. Starting with version 135, developers will be allowed to test the transition by disabling getHostEnvironmentValue() in their local environments.
For sites that rely on this method and require more time to adapt, Microsoft has enabled a form for requesting temporary extensions.
In conclusion, this update represents Microsoft’s commitment to user privacy and the promotion of standards that benefit the entire developer community, paving the way towards a safer and more private web environment.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
