Google warns it will end support for uBlock Origin soon “because it doesn’t follow best practices for Chrome extensions” — leaving over 30 million users susceptible to intrusive ads

Google warns it will end support for uBlock Origin soon "because it doesn't follow best practices for Chrome extensions" — leaving over 30 million users susceptible to intrusive ads

What you need to know

  • Google announced the transition of its extension support from the Manifest V2 framework to V3 for an enhanced privacy and security user experience.
  • Consequently, Google Chrome will no longer support extensions like uBlock Origin running the Manifest V2 framework, leaving over 30 million users susceptible to annoying ads.
  • Google has seemingly started issuing warnings about the imminent transition via its Chrome Web Store, potentially indicating it’s making the change soon.

As a long-time Chrome user who heavily relies on ad blockers like uBlock Origin to maintain a distraction-free browsing experience, I find myself at a crossroads with Google’s recent announcement to deprecate Manifest V2 and transition to V3.


By August, Google had revealed their intention to discontinue the Manifest V2 framework within Google Chrome, instead focusing on providing support for the newer Manifest V3 framework for extensions.

You might be aware that the retirement of the Manifest V2 framework implies that Google Chrome users will no longer be able to utilize the uBlock Origin ad blocker and other extensions since they don’t reach the required standard. Consequently, approximately 30 million Chrome users could potentially encounter bothersome advertisements without protection.

As per Google, the Manifest V2 structure poses potential security issues since it permits unchecked code execution within browser extensions. However, in contrast, Manifest V3 restricts an extension’s ability to run JavaScript only from within its own package, thereby significantly reducing security risks.

Regardless of the complaints expressed by users on social media regarding the change, it appears that Google is pressing ahead with its decision to phase out Manifest V2. Users who continue to utilize uBlock Origin and other extensions built using the Manifest V2 structure have reportedly begun receiving alerts about this transition via Google’s Chrome Web Store (as reported by Bleeping Computer).

The support for this browser extension might end soon as it doesn’t adhere to the recommended guidelines for creating Google Chrome extensions.

Google clarifies that this action is intended to safeguard users’ privacy and security. Therefore, they are mandating Chrome and the Chrome Web Store for extensions to be updated according to the latest standards. As a result, Google will deactivate extensions that fail to comply with the Manifest V3 framework criteria.

Google warns it will end support for uBlock Origin soon "because it doesn't follow best practices for Chrome extensions" — leaving over 30 million users susceptible to intrusive ads

According to our confirmation, reports suggest that Google is sending out a notification indicating their intention to discontinue support for uBlock Origin and similar extensions relying on the Manifest V2 system due to its non-adherence to the recommended practices for Google Chrome extensions.

There’s Lite at the end of uBlock Origin’s tunnel

Google warns it will end support for uBlock Origin soon "because it doesn't follow best practices for Chrome extensions" — leaving over 30 million users susceptible to intrusive ads

Based on Google’s public announcement about shifting extension support to the Manifest V3 framework for enhanced security and privacy, and the warnings displayed on the Chrome Web Store, it is expected that Google will eventually phase out support for Manifest V2 with a future update. However, the exact timeline for this transition has not been specified yet, but it could occur within the next few months.

It seems Google is increasingly challenging ad-blocking tools like uBlock Origin, even on platforms such as YouTube. Notably, Google has introduced a new application called uBlock Origin Lite, which aligns with the requirements of Manifest V3. This move might influence the future trajectory of uBlock Origin.

Although uBlock Origin Lite offers similar ad-blocking fundamentals as its original version, it lacks certain crucial aspects. For one, it doesn’t include dynamic filters for preventing scriptlet injection – a feature that might be due to the stringent security and privacy standards associated with the Manifest V3 framework it uses.

It’s intriguing to consider the potential effects of Google choosing to phase out Manifest V2 for V3 on Chrome’s leading position in the browser market versus its competitors. This move has encouraged some users to switch to browsers that offer support for uBlock Origin, such as Firefox and Brave.

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2024-10-14 14:09