Google stops support for IE6 browser

Google is phasing out support for Internet Explorer (IE) 6 from 1 March and advised users of Microsoft’s browser to upgrade to at least IE7.

The search giant warned that if people don't upgrade they may find that key functions in Google applications such as Google Docs won’t work properly.

On Google’s official blog, Rajen Sheth, Google Apps senior product manager wrote: “We’re going to begin phasing out our support, starting with Google Docs and Google Sites.

"As a result you may find that from 1 March key functionality within these products, as well as new Docs and Sites features won’t work properly in older browsers."

It is believed that millions of people around the world have continued to use IE6 despite Microsoft releasing another two upgrades of the browser and one more in the pipeline.

Microsoft itself is urging people to upgrade to one of the later versions that are considered far more secure. A flaw in IE6 last month let hackers target companies including Google and forced Microsoft to release a patch out of its normal monthly update cycle.

The attack on Google and other companies led the French and German governments to advise their citizens to switch to a different browser.

Now a petition has also been started on the No 10 website urging the UK government to drop IE6 after the Department of Health advised the NHS to upgrade to IE7 as soon as possible.

"Most creative and software development companies are forced by government department clients to build websites for IE6 when most of the industry has moved on," the petition reads.

Rajen Sheth explained that upgrading was not just a matter of better security.

“The web has evolved in the last 10 years, from simple text pages to rich, interactive applications including video and voice. Unfortunately, very old browsers cannot run many of these new features effectively.

"Many other companies have already stopped supporting older browsers like Internet Explorer 6 as well as browsers that are not supported by their own manufacturers," he said.

The Google blog also points out that if people do not want to use Internet Explorer there are other options such as Mozilla Firefox 3.0, Google Chrome 4.0 and Safari 3.0.