Google Chrome is beginning to phase out the popular ad blocker uBlock Origin due to the transition to the new Manifest V3 extension specification. This change may affect the effectiveness of many ad blocking tools.
Blockers under threat
Transition to Manifest V3
According to published by Raymond Hill, creator of uBlock Origin, Google Chrome has already begun phasing out this popular ad blocker. The reason for this step was Chrome's transition to a new extension specification - Manifest V3 
What it represents a Manifest? This is a file containing important information about the browser extension, including its name, version, required permissions, and compatibility with different browser versions. Each new version of Manifest may change how extensions can access certain features. For example, Manifest V3 in Chrome prevents extensions from downloading code from remote servers. These changes may significantly impact the functionality of some ad blockers.
Developers' reaction
In response to these changes, the uBlock Origin team has released a new version of their product - uBlock Origin Lite, which is compatible with Manifest V3. However, as noted in the FAQ on GitHub, users will have to install this extension manually as it differs significantly from the original version and is not an automatic replacement.
Scope of Change
According to The Verge, more than 93% of actively supported extensions in the Chrome Store have already switched to Manifest V3 . A Google spokesperson stressed that all popular content filtering extensions, including AdBlock, Adblock Plus, uBlock Origin and AdGuard, have versions compatible with the new specification.
Future plans
Google plans to fully migrate to Manifest V3 by early 2025. Over the course of 2024, the company will gradually disable extensions running on Manifest V2 and then remove them completely from the extension store.
Glossary
- uBlock Origin is a popular open source ad blocker
- Google Chrome is a web browser developed by Google
- Manifest V3 is a new specification for Chrome browser extensions
- AdBlock is one of the most popular ad blocking extensions
- AdGuard is a multi-functional blocker of ads and malicious sites
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Discussion of the topic – Browser wars: Google vs uBlock Origin in Chrome
Google has begun automatically disabling the popular ad-blocking extension uBlock Origin in the Chrome browser, raising concerns among users about privacy and control over Internet surfing.
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Liam
I wonder how Manifest V3 will affect ad blockers. Has anyone already experienced the changes? 🤔
Sophie
I heard that uBlock Origin has already adapted to V3. But they say the effectiveness may decrease. I hope the developers find a way to get around the restrictions 🙏
Hans
Sophie, yes, uBlock Origin has indeed been updated. But I noticed that some sites now take longer to load. This may be due to the new V3 restrictions 🕰️
Isabella
But I'm thinking about switching to another browser. Firefox, for example, does not yet plan such strict restrictions for extensions 🦊
Klaus
All this is nonsense. Previously, the Internet was without advertising and extensions, and nothing, we lived somehow. There's no point in worrying about these endless updates.
Liam
Klaus, times are changing. Nowadays, it’s difficult to comfortably use the Internet without blockers. But I agree that constant change is tiring 😅
Amelia
Did you know that over 93% of active Chrome extensions are already using V3? It's impressive how quickly developers adapt! 🚀
Hans
Amelia, this is truly impressive! I wonder how the extension landscape will change by 2025, when Google completely abandons V2 🤔