The Browser Company has reaffirmed its commitment to keeping the Arc browser alive, even as it shifts focus to its new AI-powered Dia browser. However, this doesn’t mean Arc will be receiving any new features anytime soon. In a recent blog post, CEO Josh Miller explained the reasoning behind this decision and outlined what’s next for Arc users.
Originally launched as a bold reimagining of what a modern browser can be, Arc has cultivated a dedicated user base—including myself. But Miller points out several reasons for winding down active development on Arc. These include challenges in making the browser truly mainstream, occasional performance issues like slowness and instability, and the company’s strategic shift toward prioritizing AI integration with Dia.
One notable concern highlighted by Miller is security. Arc faced a significant vulnerability last year, where a security researcher discovered a flaw that allowed attackers to inject arbitrary code into a user’s browser session simply by knowing their user ID. While The Browser Company responded quickly to patch this issue, Miller emphasizes the importance of security—especially as AI agents become more common. To bolster defenses, the company has expanded its security engineering team from one to five experts, underscoring its commitment to protecting user data and privacy.
So, what does this mean for Arc users? Miller assures that the browser isn’t disappearing. Arc will continue to receive security updates and bug fixes, and it will be maintained in line with updates to Chromium, the underlying engine. However, the company has no plans to open-source or sell Arc, citing its complex architecture built on both Chromium and a custom infrastructure that also supports Dia. While they hope to someday open-source the browser, Miller notes that they want to do so only when it’s safe for their team and shareholders.
As of now, The Browser Company has not confirmed whether their enlarged security team is actively working on strengthening Arc’s security specifically. We’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available.
