Google starts turning off Flash in Chrome

In the latest version of its browser, Google has started to disable Flash by default in favor of HTML5. Initially, Google will do this for a small group of users, in order to make the transition gradual.

The rollout plans are outlined on Google’s Chromium blog. In the coming days, version 55 of Chrome will disable Flash by default, showing the HTML5 variant of the content instead. If there is no HTML5 version, the content will not be played at all. Users will still have the option to manually turn Flash back on, but they will have to do that again for each website.

Initially, only 1 percent of Chrome 55 users turn Flash off. In the coming months, the Flash blockade rollout should be expanded; With this, Google hopes for a smooth transition to HTML5. With the beta version, with number 56, Google is going faster: 50 percent of the users are immediately put on the Flash block. The entire operation should be completed in February.

Google had previously announced that Flash playback would be turned off by default. Other browser makers, such as Apple with Safari, have also started phasing out support for Flash. The technology of software maker Adobe has been struggling with a lack of security for years.