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Why Gov.uk's Exit this Page component doesn't use the Escape key

A very specific question, answered very longwindedly.

All of these take priority over the page’s JavaScript, which often meant needing to press the Escape key more than the requisite three times, creating confusion as to whether the function actually worked as advertised. In the case of macOS and fullscreen apps, it even involved having to wait for the re-windowing animation to finish before the page could begin to intercept Escape key presses again. It may even default to the user’s location, displaying significantly more personalised content in the process, which is surely less suspicious than a blank, generic search form.

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