Request for position update on Web Serial with add-on gating

[Merlin04]

I'd like to request an update on Mozilla's position on Web Serial. Web MIDI has been implemented for around 7 months now, and it's an API which carries very similar security implications to Web Serial (unrestricted communications with arbitrary hardware devices over a specific channel, of which implications are difficult to communicate to users). The Firefox Web MIDI implementation's solution of add-on gating solves this problem by presenting a flow which (simplifying here) conveys a similar granting of access as one would give when installing software, thus adequately getting informed consent from the user.

With this solution having been deployed and battle-tested for a substantial amount of time, I'd like to request that Mozilla reconsider its position on Web Serial (assuming an add-on gate like Web MIDI).

[nschonni]

Duplicate of #687

[tantek]

Thanks @nschonni. Closing as duplicate of #687. @Merlin04 please go ahead and make your comment regarding add-on gating on that issue.

[Merlin04]

Done, sorry for the duplicate.