Google tests omitting https lock in Chrome address bar

Google is testing the removal of the padlock from Chrome’s URL bar, which indicates that a connection is via https. Instead, the company uses an arrow that, when clicked, provides information about the connection. According to Google, the lock is confusing.

Google refers to the outcome of own research as the reason for the test. This would show that only 11 percent correctly associate the lock icon with the presence of an https connection. Users would frequently draw the incorrect conclusion that the site itself is trustworthy.

In addition, Google is reconsidering the use of the lock because, according to the company, we are moving towards an https-first future. For example, Chrome 94 gets an https-first mode, where the browser tries to make all connections via https and shows full-page warnings if that fails. Firefox has had such a mode since version 83.

As a test, Chrome 93 does not get a lock for https connections, but an arrow with which a user can request more information about the connection. Google hopes that this information will be easier to find. If there is no https connection, Chrome will still show a warning.