Internet Explorer dominates Chrome in South Korea.
South Koreans are still being forced to use Internet Explorer in an outdated law created over a decade ago designed to protect security.
Up to 76% of people in South Korea use Internet Explorer partly due to a law which requires citizens to transact through the browser. The statistic generated by web analytics firm StatCounter, is the highest in the world leading China, Japan, Afghanistan and Iran.
The government introduced the law in the 1990’s to ensure shoppers could shop online freely and securely though Internet Explorer’s strong online authentication via digital certificates. With the arrival of several other alternatives, little effort has been made to revoke the law which is causing an inconvenience for its citizens.
Apple users are particularly affected, having to resort to internet cafes, or multi-boot programs to run Windows in order to make online transactions with Internet Explorer. An Apple retailer in Seoul says the law poses “no problem”, as special software and a copy of Windows 7 can be attained for a mere $220.
Some users must resort to expensive programs to make online transactions.
The browser’s reputation is thought to be “ancient” among internet users who have made a switch to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Safari. However, the latest figures suggest it is making gains over Chrome as 58.22% of desktop users worldwide use the program.
Microsoft ensures they have “redeemed” themselves in the latest and improved IE 11 which could add to possibility of a return to its dominant position it held in the 1990’s.
Source: Washington Post | Images via ZDNet, CrystalXP
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