In the latest Canary test version of the Chrome browser, Google takes a decisive step towards completely removing extensions that use Manifest V2, including the popular uBlock Origin.
This move continues the company’s strategy to restrict ad blocking.
The context of change
Google wants to remove ad blocking on YouTube (where they will implement server-side ads that will be extremely difficult to block) and force a transition from Manifest V2 to V3 extensions.
What is Manifest V3?
This is a new platform for extensions that promises improvements in security and performance.
It significantly limits extensions’ abilities to block ads and prevents the use of remotely hosted code (which affects filter lists).
Impact on users
Several changes have been noted, such as users being redirected to V3-based alternatives (like uBlock Origin Lite) and uBlock Origin no longer appearing in Chrome Web Store search results.
Google is already testing the removal of the option to re-enable unsupported extensions, in Chrome Canary the toggle to re-enable them is now greyed out, you can only remove them or find alternatives: pic.twitter.com/zitGWq1SR2
— Leopeva64 (@Leopeva64) October 3, 2024
Additionally, the option to enable disabled V2 extensions is 100% blocked in Canary and existing V2 extensions are marked with warnings.
Alternatives available to users
There are some temporary solutions to the problem. One of them: switching to uBlock Origin Lite, the V3 version that has reduced functionality. A second: using an official Windows Registry hack that allows V2 extensions until June 2025.
Long-term solutions would be to migrate to other browsers or to Firefox from the first one. The latter continues to offer dual support for V2 and V3.
Broader implications
This change affects not just Chrome, but the entire Chromium ecosystem, impacting browsers like Opera, Microsoft Edge, and others based on it.
Controversial
Google’s decision has sparked a lot of discussion online and offline, and there are already concerns about the reduced effectiveness of ad blocking in V3 versions.
Other voices say that this change limits the freedom of users.
Google seems determined to implement these changes despite the criticism. The full transition seems inevitable, and the impact on the Internet browsing experience will be significant.
Source: TechRadar
Source: www.go4it.ro
