fateful date postponed to 2024 for old smartphones
Remember, in November 2020, you read in our columns that a large number of smartphones running a version of Android prior to Nougat 7.1 would no longer be able to access certain websites. The fault at the end of the partnership between Let’s Encrypt (partner of Mozilla) and the IdenTrust certification authority on September 1, 2021.
The two companies co-developed the DST Root X3 certificate, which is an extremely popular certificate. At the same time, Let’s Encrypt launched its own certificate for sites under HTTPS: ISRG Root X1. The problem was then the following: at the end of the partnership between the two structures in September 2021, all smartphones and tablets running on a version prior to Nougat 7.1.1 and equipped with the DST Root X3 certificate will not be able to no longer access websites in HTTPS rooted with ISRG Root X1 certificate.
In fact, users who own Android smartphones running a version prior to Nougat 7.1.1 will no longer be able to access 30% of websites. To avoid this problem, Let’s Encrypt then offered two solutions: change your smartphone or download the Mozilla Firefox browser to your smartphone (completely free). Indeed, Mozilla is a partner of Let’s Encrypt and uses its ” own list of trusted root certificates “ including the ISRG Root X1.
Extended compatibility until 2024
Finally, we learn this Wednesday, December 23, 2020 that Let’s Encrypt is currently working to extend the compatibility of older Android smartphones. Indeed, the company assures to collaborate with IdenTrust to allow its certificates (the ISRG Root X1) to function on older operating systems.
In addition, IdenTrust has agreed to extend the compatibility between the two certificates for an additional three years. In fact, smartphones running a version prior to Nougat 7.1.1 will be able to access all websites until 2024. This is excellent news for the millions of users who were preparing to change their smartphone before the fateful date in September 2021.
Do you still want to take the lead and change your smartphone? That’s good because in our Good Deals section, there is currently a selection of 5 recent smartphones from € 83 to € 223.
