The Browser Company explains why it stopped developing Arc

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The Browser Company’s Shift: Why Arc’s Days Are Numbered

In a recent blog post, CEO Josh Miller laid out the future for The Browser Company, and it seems clear that the Arc browser is entering its twilight years. While the company insists that Arc won’t disappear entirely, its days as a feature-rich, actively developed browser are numbered. Let’s break down why this decision was made and what it means for users. Miller acknowledged upfront that Arc was a bold experiment—a reimagining of what browsers could be. It garnered a loyal following, myself included, thanks to its innovative approach and unique features. However, the challenges that plagued Arc in its early days remain largely unchanged. As Miller pointed out, Arc has struggled with complexity, often making it less accessible to mainstream audiences. Add to that occasional performance issues—like being slow or unstable—and it becomes clear why the company is moving toward a more streamlined solution. But the real kicker is the shift toward AI. The Browser Company has decided to pivot its focus toward creating a more intelligent browsing experience, embodied by the new Dia browser. This move makes sense given the growing importance of AI in tech today. Still, the decision to phase out Arc raises some interesting questions about how the two browsers relate to each other. Why not simply fold Dia’s features into Arc? Well, according to Miller, there’s one major obstacle standing in the way: security.

A Security Conundrum

Arc has had its fair share of security issues, and Miller doesn’t shy away from acknowledging them. Last year, a security researcher uncovered a critical vulnerability that allowed attackers to inject arbitrary code into a user’s browser session just by knowing their user ID. That’s a scary thought, and while The Browser Company swiftly patched the issue, it highlighted the risks inherent in Arc’s architecture. Since then, the company has beefed up its security team, expanding it from a single engineer to a group of five. This increased focus on security is crucial, especially as AI agents—autonomous systems designed to carry out tasks—are becoming more widespread. For Miller, this means ensuring that the next generation of browsers is as secure as possible. But it also means that Arc’s existing infrastructure, which relies heavily on Chromium, is unlikely to evolve in the same way.

What Happens Next?

Despite the changes, The Browser Company has promised that Arc won’t vanish overnight. Users can expect ongoing security updates and bug fixes, along with tweaks as the underlying Chromium code evolves. However, don’t expect any flashy new features anytime soon—or ever. According to Miller, Arc’s fate is sealed when it comes to innovation. That said, the company remains committed to keeping Arc alive in some capacity. The plan is to maintain it in a stable state, addressing critical issues but not adding anything groundbreaking. There’s even a glimmer of hope for the future. Miller mentioned that The Browser Company would eventually like to open-source or sell Arc—but only when it’s safe to do so. Right now, that’s not the case due to the complex custom infrastructure it shares with Dia. Until then, Arc will remain a shadow of its former self.

What About Us?

For Arc users, this news is bittersweet. On one hand, it’s disappointing to hear that the browser’s heyday is over. On the other, the decision to prioritize security and embrace AI makes sense in the grand scheme of things. Will Arc survive indefinitely? Probably not. But for now, it’s still kicking—and who knows, maybe it’ll find a niche among die-hard fans. We reached out to The Browser Company for clarification on whether the expanded security team is also focusing on Arc itself. So far, no response. We’ll keep you posted as more details emerge.

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