Starting June 3, Google is starting to gradually disable extensions built with Manifest v2 in Chrome. frame Used the vast majority of extensions so far and since 2012.

Instead, extensions must switch to Manifest v3, the new standard that Google touts as more secure and efficient but may limit the effectiveness of ad blockers. This is a controversial change that comes after several delays and will come to a head in early 2025.

Why is it important?. Chrome is the browser for two-thirds of people who connect to the Internet. Both on mobile and desktop. Google argues that the move to Manifest v3 is necessary to improve the security, privacy and performance of extensions.

Critics see this as a way to undermine ad blockers, which is what Google’s business model is based on, which is, after all, a great ad agency with great services on which to place ads.

Conclusion. This change has and will force many extensions to be rewritten. It could affect millions of users, making those who don’t adapt obsolete. After all, extensions are one of Chrome’s biggest appeals.

Key changes. As Google explains:

• Manifest v3 removes the webRequest API, which allows extensions to intercept and modify network requests.
• Use the more limited declarative NetRequest instead.
• Restricts remotely hosted code and Codes the user forces everything to be included in the extension itself.
• Change the permission model so that extensions are enabled only on specific tabs rather than the entire browser.
• Limit extensions’ access to sensitive APIs such as geolocation (unless the visited website has special permission).

Calendar. Dates of changes:

• Deployment begins June 3 in Chrome Beta, Dev, and Canary. v2 extensions will show lack of support notification.
• In the coming months: v2 extensions will be disabled in these releases. Users will be able to re-enable them, but only temporarily.
• Early 2025: Manifest v2 will stop working in stable Chrome, and businesses will have an extension by June.

Transport status. Google said 85% of actively maintained extensions have already been updated to v3. This includes various blockers such as AdBlock, uBlock Origin and Adguard. Others that are smaller or require no maintenance may disappear.

Argument. Developers of blockers such as uBlock Origin criticized v3 for restricting the number of dynamic rules, thus limiting filtering capabilities.

In response to these complaints, Google increased this limit to 330,000 static rules and 30,000 dynamic rules. Some fear that this will still be inadequate for the most advanced and customizable blockers.

Hidden motivations? Beyond security and performance arguments, there are suspicions that Google is trying to weaken ad blockers because they hurt ad revenue. The company denied this and argued that it was simply looking for a balance between power and protection.

Manifest v3 represents a great transition for Chrome extensions, with implications that go beyond the technical aspect, but debates about its effectiveness and the true motivations behind this change will continue in the coming months. The future of Chrome extensions depends on it, especially for the most demanding users evident.

Featured image | Growtika on Unsplash

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