Google Chrome Will Start Blocking Noisy Auto Play Videos In January

Sites you watch videos on often won’t be affected.

- Brad Chacos

Google is taking aim at one of the biggest scourges of the modern web. Starting in January 2018, the Chrome browser will automatically block noisy auto play video on webpages.

“One of the most frequent user concerns is unexpected media playback, which can use data, consume power, and make unwanted noise while browsing,” Google wrote in a blog post (go.pcworld.com/blp). “To address this, Chrome will be making auto play more consistent with user expectations and will give users more control over audio.”