Google to notify Chrome users when installed extensions are removed from Chrome Web Store

In a recent announcement by Oliver Dunk, a developer relations engineer for Chrome extensions, Google is set to introduce a new feature in Chrome 117 that will notify users when an installed extension is no longer available in the Chrome Web Store. This proactive initiative will apply to three specific scenarios: when the extension has been removed by the developer, when it has been taken down for violating the Chrome Web Store policy, or when it has been identified as malware.

Google assures that this change aims to enhance user safety within the Chrome ecosystem without affecting compliant extensions. Importantly, the notification will not be triggered if the developer has been alerted about a potential violation and is in the process of addressing or appealing it.

In the event that a user receives such a notification, they will be directed to their extensions page. From there, they can choose to either uninstall the extension in question or hide the warning, should they decide to keep the extension active. And, as in previous versions of Chrome, extensions marked as malware will be automatically disabled.