Google Chrome will start disabling the uBlock Origin extension. This happens due to the move to the Manifest v3 specification for extensions.

The uBlock Origin ad blocker will soon no longer be available for download as a Google Chrome browser extension. This phase-out is due to the move to Manifest v3. In The Verge, Google says that 95 percent of “actively maintained” extensions already use Manifest v3, but many ad blockers do not.

Welcome, Manifest v3! Or not quite?

In response to the move to the new specification, uBlock Origin recently released uBlock Origin Lite. Users need to install this extension manually. According to developer Raymond Hill, there are differences between the two versions. Origin Lite has a more limited filter due to the limitations imposed by Manifest v3. In general, the Lite version will be less effective.

In June, Google announced that the phaseout would begin in the coming months and has now actually begun. We don’t know how extensively and intensively it has already been rolled out. Recently, a warning appeared in the Google Web Store that the extension may soon no longer be supported.

The new system was initially met with many misunderstandings. This was mainly due to a more complex environment for developers and numerous new restrictions for the extensions. A successor is now available for most extensions, as all Manifest v2 extensions will soon be completely deactivated.