Google to End Manifest V2 Support in Chrome, Disabling uBlock Origin and Other Ad Blo

[harlan4096]

Google will remove support for Chrome extensions built on the older Manifest V2 framework later this month. This change means workarounds that kept ad blockers like uBlock Origin partially functional in Chrome will no longer work.

The update will be effective with Chrome versions 150 and 151, expected to be released this summer. After that, only extensions based on Manifest V3 will be compatible with Chrome.

Google engineer Devlin Cronin explained on the Chromium review site, "MV2 extensions are no longer allowed in any supported version of Chrome, and we are removing support for them and the associated functionality.

We won't be able to provide or maintain this functionality indefinitely due to the complexity and tech debt, as well as the security risks it entails."

Why Ending Manifest V2 Support Hits Ad Blockers Like uBlock Origin

Manifest V3 does not explicitly ban ad blockers, but it introduces restrictions that substantially reduce the effectiveness of tools like uBlock Origin.

The framework limits the number of filtering rules an extension can apply and removes dynamic blocking, a feature that allowed uBlock Origin to respond in real time to quickly evolving ad delivery methods.

Last year, Google disabled most Manifest V2 extensions with Chrome 138, although workarounds kept some functionalities available for a time. The Chrome 150 and 151 releases have now permanently removed those workarounds.

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