Users of the Google Chrome browser (and possibly other browsers based on Chromium) will see a change in how the browser identifies encrypted websites later this yesr.
Google has plans to retire the padlock icon that appears in the Chrome status bar during a secure HTTPS web browsing session because they say the interface graphic has outlived its usefulness.
Later this year the padlock icon will be replaced with the “tune” icon, which Google says is commonly used to indicate controls and settings.
Why the change?
The initial reason for the padlock icon was to give users an easy view that the website they were using was encrypted, and acted as a way to expore the security offered by the encryption.
Today however, the padlock affers much more data than just that associated with encryption.
The padlock icon has become a dropdown menu that provides connection information, permissions for device microphone, code, and clipboard access, alongside aliases to Chrome’s Cookies and site data menu and its Site settings menu.
As such, Google says that the padlock is no longer the right icon for such a broad range of options.
The new icon
The replacement for the padlock will be the “tune” icon, and will allow users to access a full range of controls that are linked to security options for the website they are visiting, not just those dealing with encryption.
The new tune icon is earmarked to debut in Chrome 117, which is scheduled for released in early September 2023.