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Is color alone for links, with enough color contrast, sufficient - SC 1.4.1. A

for

From: Sven Jenzer
Date: Jan 26, 2022 10:24AM

We recognized that certain test-tools changed their evaluation routine.

Recommended technique is to have text in black color and links in blue
color with underline. In addition to the different color, a visual clue
(underline) is added.

An often used technique is the sufficient technique G183
https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/Techniques/general/G183.html

With this technique, a relative luminance
<https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/> (lightness) difference of 3:1 or greater
with the text around it can be used if additional visual confirmation is
available when a user points or tabs to the link. Visual highlights may,
for example, take the form of underline, a change in font style such as
bold or italics, or an increase in font size.

While using this technique is sufficient to meet this success criteria,
it is not the preferred technique to differentiate link text. This is
because links that use the relative luminance of color alone may not be
obvious to people with black/white color blindness. If there are not a
large number of links in the block of text, underlines are recommended
for links.

Example: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/working-examples/link-contrast/

I assume this is still valid to pass this SC?

Anyone knows of a change?

Many websites would need to change if this sufficient technique G183 is
no more valid.