Discussion: Website claims to “require” Windows or Mac but doesn't block Linux
I run FreeBSD on my desktop, and am a customer of Chase Bank (along with a few others), mainly since my family set me up there.
Chase claims to require Windows or macOS for their online banking, but doesn't block GNU/Linux or Chrome OS, while kicking out OSes like FreeBSD and OpenBSD. I could log in fine on multiple Linux distros fine, and on FreeBSD with a "user agent switcher".
I asked Chase if they could unblock FreeBSD the same way, even mentioning Linux and user agent switchers. Chase gave their usual BS about "system requirements" and "our website is working as designed". The person who talked to me was in fact pretty rude.
While I can use a user agent switcher and it works fine that way, and most websites (even banks) don't whitelist OSes. I find it absurd that Chase can claim that they require Windows or macOS at every level, but not block Linux or Chrome OS.
I'm betting that either blocking Linux and Chrome OS would make headlines, or alternatively that Chase uses a FOSS library that blocks BSD but not Linux or Chrome OS.
I'm also betting that they couldn't unblock FreeBSD if they unblock Linux since enterprises are generally very stiff and inflexible with requirements. If the higher ups say "only Windows or Mac" devs can't deviate.
A FreeBSD user like me is well aware of the whitelist, but a casual Ubuntu or Chromebook user may not even know these "requirements" exist since both "Linux" or "CrOS" are whitelisted.
It could go away when Chase's website is redesigned. Many websites in the early-00s depended on IE6 and now nobody does on the public Internet. Doesn't mean it will go away. Look at AT&T Fiber's 802.1X or Verizon's and AT&T's IMEI whitelist, nobody else globally does whitelisting to the same extent, or even Verizon FiOS and T-Mobile.
I think Bank of America says something similar to Chase but fortunately doesn't really enforce it the same way. I don't use BoA, though. I also remember an ACT prep website as a teen which only allowed Windows or Mac when I used FreeBSD (w/o plugins), but that aged very poorly in today's era of Chrome OS-based schools. There may be many more examples, feel free to discuss here.
Yes, I could use another bank, and I'm attempting to, but my family's weird money management system is a big roadblock making it harder for me versus most people. I moved one direct deposit and yet it caused chaos. Chase is sticky for my family like the Apple ecosystem is for many. We even have "private client" status.
Not an iPhone user, I could be a teenager today and want to run LineageOS, but my family is tied into the Apple ecosystem making it hard to leave an iPhone, just a bit easier for me with Chase since user agent switchers exist, but you can't get an Android to connect to iMessage or other iServices.