KDE just pushed out Plasma 6.4.1, and while it’s technically a bug-fix release, it includes a surprisingly major change: the “highlight window” effect is now disabled by default. This is the visual effect where other windows fade away when you hover over a Task Manager thumbnail.
Why the sudden shift? It turns out this flashy feature could do more than just annoy you. Believe it or not, under the right (or wrong) circumstances, it might trigger seizures. No, really.
Developers discovered that if you open several full-screen windows from the same app and then rapidly move your mouse across their thumbnails, it could cause full-screen flickering faster than 3 Hz. That’s enough to be a medical hazard for people with photosensitive epilepsy.
It’s an edge case, sure. You’d have to go out of your way to trigger it. But KDE isn’t taking chances. Until they can rework the effect to eliminate the flickering, they’re playing it safe and keeping it off.
This tweak is part of a broader push by KDE to improve accessibility. It’s not just window-dressing. The goal is full compliance with updated European Union accessibility laws. KDE developers, backed by KDE e.V. and outside institutions, are actively rewriting parts of the stack to ensure their desktop is usable for everyone, including those with visual, motor, and neurological challenges.
Accessibility isn’t always the flashiest topic in tech, and lately there’s been some grumbling from the community about how much attention it’s getting. But KDE is staying the course, showing that it actually cares and is willing to make real changes that prioritize people over flashy effects.
This episode serves as a good reminder that while Linux desktops can be powerful and beautiful, they’re not immune from health-related issues. Fortunately, KDE is handling it with the kind of transparency and care you’d hope for in open-source software.
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