Google Chrome Will Limit Ad Blockers Soon

Next week, Google Chrome will begin limiting the operation of ad blockers, known as AdBlock . This change is part of a larger plan that Google has developed to control the use of these extensions. Recently, YouTube, which is also owned by Google, took measures to prevent users who block ads from being able to view videos on the platform. What Will Change? Google will end use of an older extension system called Manifest V2, replacing it with Manifest V3. This change had been planned since 2019, but was postponed several times. Starting next week, Manifest V2 will begin to be phased out, forcing developers to migrate to Manifest V3. Why Is Google Doing This? Google claims that Manifest V3 was created to improve the security, privacy, performance, and reliability of Chrome extensions. However, many critics do not agree with this justification. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), an organization that advocates for digital rights, called Manifest V3 "misleading and threatening." They argue that the new system will limit the functionality of extensions, especially those that monitor and modify the behavior of the websites you visit. Criticisms and Concerns Other companies have also expressed concerns. Representatives from Firefox, another popular browser, questioned the need for Manifest V3. They believe that Firefox already has a good handle on malicious extensions and that Google's changes could do more harm than good. One of the biggest criticisms of Manifest V3 is about "content filtering". This is a crucial function for ad blockers and extensions that protect against online tracking. Google says the new system will protect sensitive data and improve performance. However, critics say these changes will weaken the effectiveness of ad blockers, making it easier for ads to appear in the browser. The Impact of Using Ad Blockers Since Manifest V3 was announced, Google has been negotiating with extension developers, making some concessions. For example, Google has increased the number of filtering rules allowed, which may help ad blockers a bit. Even so, Manifest V3 prohibits “remotely hosted code,” which makes it difficult to update blocklists — an essential function for ad blockers. The Future of Chrome Extensions Google claims that more than 85% of active extensions in the Chrome Web Store are already using Manifest V3. However, the Manifest V3 version of the most popular ad blockers such as “uBlock Origin Lite” is considered inferior to previous versions. Starting this week, Chrome Beta users will start seeing warnings about extensions that still use V2. These extensions will soon be disabled by default in Chrome, and eventually this reactivation option will be removed. What Does This Mean To You? If you use ad blockers on Chrome, you may notice a decrease in the effectiveness of these tools in the coming weeks. Developers will need to adapt their extensions to Manifest V3 or find other solutions. This change marks an important moment in the struggle between big technology companies and developers seeking to protect users against invasive ads and online tracking. Stay tuned for updates and consider exploring alternatives if you are impacted by these changes.