In Edge, 'Read Aloud' doesn't work with extension enabled

[seffyroff]

Description

When trying to use the 'Read Aloud' Text to Speech feature in Edge, if the DDG Privacy Essentials extension is enabled, no audio can be heard.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Go to any website you want to have read aloud
2. Make sure the DDG Privacy Essentials extension is enabled
3. Click the 'Read Aloud' button on the right hand side of the address bar (it's an 'A' with curves around the top right corner)
4. The Read Aloud bar will appear across the top of the page, but the moving highlight will not be there, and the audio speech cannot be heard.

Expected behavior:
Audible speech from the Read Aloud function.

Actual behavior:
No audible speech from the Read Aloud function.

Versions

• Extension: 2023.3.28.1
• Browser: Microsoft Edge Version 111.0.1661.62 (Official build) (64-bit)
• OS: Windows 11 22H2 22621.1413

Additional Information

1. Issue is 100% repeatable
2. Not sure if this used to work on previous versions
3. I was unable to find the extension debugging console in Edge
4. I will add screenshots or video if requested
5. I have verified that with the DDG extension disabled (but all other extensions I use still enabled) Read Aloud works
6. Read Aloud is a very useful accessibility feature for folks with disabilities

[sammacbeth]

Thanks for this report. I was unable to reproduce the issue in the Edge browser and the latest extension version. Are you still experiencing the problem?

[jeyonjeyon]

For some months now, I have been having problems with Edge's Read Aloud whenever DDG Privacy Essentials is activated. Turn it off, and Read Aloud works fine. Turn it on, there is no sound, altho it looks like it's working (the waveform changes).

My experience duplicates seffyroff's experience. Same description. Same steps.

Privacy Essentials Version 2023.5.9
MS Edge Version 113.0.1774.35 (Official build) (64-bit)
Windows 11 Home 21H2 22000.1641

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Weirdest thing. When I wrote up this issue - I had just been having problems with Read Aloud. But a short time ago, I tried again and Read Aloud worked with Privacy Essentials turned on.

The only change I made during that time was in Edge Settings, under Languages. I had 2 languages under "Preferred languages" - English (United States) and English. I removed English. I tested immediately, to no effect. I don't think I changed anything else.

I'll post back, if Read Aloud fails again. But as for now, I'm fine.