Google Chrome has started phasing out uBlock Origin amid Manifest V3 shift for extensions
Oct 16, 2024 at 3:50 PM

Google Chrome has started phasing out uBlock Origin amid Manifest V3 shift for extensions

Google Chrome has initiated the phasing out of the popular ad blocker uBlock Origin. This development follows the browser's transition to Manifest V3, a new extension specification that may affect the functionality of certain ad blockers. Raymond Hill, the developer of uBlock Origin, recently shared a screenshot on X revealing Chrome's automatic disabling of the extension, citing it as “no longer supported”. In response, Hill had introduced uBlock Origin Lite several years ago, compatible with Manifest V3, although it faced some recent issues with Firefox, but it remains functional on Chromium-based browsers.

The move to Manifest V3 has been in progress since 2019, as part of Google's efforts to limit third-party Chrome extensions' capabilities, particularly for hacking and content blocking. This transition has sparked criticism from many Chrome users, prompting some to consider switching to alternative browsers like Brave or Firefox, which continue to support uBlock Origin and other Manifest V2 extensions.

Oct 16, 2024 by Paul

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Comments

Mr. Anon
CommentOct 17, 2024

Seems like the universal response across the internet is: "Screw Google", then proceed to argue about which browser is best. That's a circlejerk at best. Make an informed decision of what's right for you. Brave has served me well since day 1, and I've had some strange issues with Firefox (personal experience), yet I do respect the Mozilla Foundation. Screw Google, choose your desired browser, and let's move on.

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Azazel
CommentOct 16, 2024

Once again, Brave is garbage, stop recommending it https://rentry.co/brave-trash And FF forks made by who-knows-who are less secure as they often lag behind in terms of updates, and basically introduce an extra man in the middle. Unless a fork is developed by someone you know you actually can entrust your browsing activity and/or it has features that are not attainable in the original with extensions and tweaks, you should skip it. "A hostile takeover on the board of directors", even if true, is a meaningless fearmongering, unless there's a reason to assume that new directors pursue some malicious motives

2 replies
Azazel

This was supposed to be a reply to jethro, not sure why it was posted separately

Reply written Oct 16, 2024

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guck_foogle

IMO, your opinion on this subject is pretty much meaningless fearmongering.

Reply written Oct 17, 2024

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Shaz Shah
CommentOct 16, 2024

I'm with @jethro_tull. I've been a happy user of the Brave Browser. On the Firefox front, I've been having fun with the Zen Browser fork.

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jethro_tull
CommentOct 16, 2024

Unfortunately, we live in the era where tracking and analytics are baked into the DNA of the internet. We, as users have to make special effort to avoid predatory web advertising practices.

Being that Google is an advertising company, this should not be a surprise. You won't find much relief from the Mozilla Foundation's Firefox either, since they have already faced a hostile takeover on their board of directors (Lunduke on Youtube did a good video on this subject).

If you like Chrome, Brave Browser and Vivaldi have integrated adblockers that do not rely on manifest V2, and even use uBlock Origin filterlists. If you'd prefer a Firefox fork, Librewolf and Mullvad browser are good options that even ship with uBlock origin installed by default.

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Gu