Some users of uBlock Origin, one of the most popular ad-blocking extensions for Chrome, are being advised to either uninstall or replace it. Google is transitioning to a new platform, MV3, which means only a "stripped-down" version will function.
Google is discontinuing support for Manifest v2 (MV2), the previous extension platform for the browser. It will be replaced by Manifest v3 (MV3), which prioritizes security and stability over functionality. With version 127, Google Chrome has started selectively warning users of uBlock Origin and other MV2 extensions: "This extension may soon no longer be supported. Please uninstall or replace it with similar extensions from the Chrome Web Store." (The author of this news with Chrome 127 and uBlock Origin has not yet received such a warning, making it difficult to verify.).
However, there will not be an exact alternative. uBlock Origin's developer, Raymond Hill, states that the popular Chrome extension will not have a version for MV3:
"The focus on reliability and efficiency in the MV3 environment meant sacrificing many features beyond those available within MV3."
The developer will offer a condensed version, uBlock Origin Lite, which makes "the best effort to convert the filter lists used by uBO into a format compatible with MV3."
The issue is that Chrome will no longer allow dynamic filtering and certain content-blocking scripts, as extensions will not be able to perform long-term tasks in the background. The powerful permissions of MV2, such as the webRequest API, allow monitoring and modifying every network request. Many filtering capabilities cannot be migrated to MV3.
"uBlock Origin Lite is too different from uBO to seamlessly replace it—you will have to explicitly choose which extension should take the place of uBO based on your own needs," the developer writes.
Hill added that the development of uBO will continue for other browsers that do not discontinue support for MV2, such as Firefox.
MV2 extensions will continue to work for a while longer. According to Google's support schedule for MV2, these extensions have already lost the "Recommended" tag in the Chrome store and will be disabled "in the coming months." After this, users will be able to re-enable Manifest V2 extensions "for a short time," but eventually, this switch will also disappear, Google reports.
The company plans to complete the transition by early next year. Organizations that use the ExtensionManifestV2Availability policies can continue to use MV2 extensions without changes until June 2025. Previously, the Cybernews website conducted an experiment that showed it is still possible to create malicious extensions even after transitioning to MV3.
Ad filtering and other content protection functionalities are an essential aspect of cybersecurity, protecting users from malicious ads and tracking. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends using ad-blocking software as it also combats significant threats.
Source: uBlock Origin, Cybernews
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