UMVA has learned that Google is on the verge of taking a drastic measure against ad-blocking extensions on its Chrome browser, a move that could leave millions of users scrambling for alternatives. The company has been phasing out popular ad-blocking extensions for several years, and it appears that the final blow will be delivered with an update scheduled for this summer.
The upcoming Chrome 150 and 151 updates are expected to finalize the transition to Google's Manifest V3 extensions platform, effectively ending support for MV2 extensions like uBlock Origin. This means that users who rely on these extensions to block ads will soon find themselves without a functioning ad blocker, as the updates are set to roll out on June 30 and in July, respectively.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the change has been in the works since 2019, with Google citing the need for more secure extensions as the reason for the shift to Manifest V3. However, this move also severs access to the Web Request API that ad blockers use to block traffic to and from malicious sites, making it more difficult for developers to create effective ad blockers.
The restrictions on developers are expected to make ad blockers' content filtering capacity worse on MV3 compared to MV2, which is why some users have been relying on workarounds to keep their ad blockers functional for as long as possible. Other Chromium-based browsers like Microsoft Edge and Opera are also expected to follow suit, although Opera representatives have indicated that the platform intends to continue supporting MV2 extensions for as long as it's technically reasonable.
For users who find that their Chrome ad-blocking extension has stopped working, there are a few possible solutions. One option is to switch to an updated version of an older ad blocker that is compatible with Manifest V3, such as uBlock Origin Lite, Adblock, or Adblock Plus. Alternatively, users could consider leaving Chrome and Edge altogether and switching to a more privacy-focused browser like Firefox, Brave, or DuckDuckGo.
It's worth noting that ad blockers are not perfect and can come with their own set of privacy concerns. Users should be aware of what data is being collected by their chosen extension and how it is used. While ad blockers have plenty of benefits, they can also cut revenue for creators that users might want to support.
