Google Chrome’s upcoming update to Manifest V3 is causing concerns for uBlock Origin, a popular ad-blocker. The update aims to improve privacy, security, and performance, but it will deprecate certain features that uBlock Origin relies on, leading to its automatic disablement. This change is part of Google’s crackdown on ad-blockers, as the tech giant relies on ad revenue to provide free services like YouTube. While some ad-blockers may not comply with Google’s policies, uBlock Origin still works for now, but with a disclaimer stating that it may soon no longer be supported.
Developer Raymond Hill has responded to the upcoming changes by releasing uBlock Origin Lite, a version of the ad-blocker that is compliant with Manifest V3. Although it has already gained 200,000 users, Hill clarifies that it is not intended to be a replacement for the original uBlock Origin. Instead, users will need to find a different ad-blocker that meets their expectations. uBlock Origin still functions on other browsers such as Firefox or Edge, but those who prefer Chrome will need to switch to a different ad-blocker that aligns with Chrome’s rules.
The update in Google Chrome’s browser extension support highlights the ongoing battle between ad-blockers and platforms like Google. While ad-blockers allow users to curtail ads and enhance their browsing experience, platforms like Google rely on ad revenue to sustain their free services. This clash of interests often leads to crackdowns on ad-blockers that do not comply with platform policies. As users, we must navigate these changes and find alternative solutions to maintain our ad-blocking preferences while still using preferred browsers.