The creator of a Google Chrome ad blocking extension has acknowledged that their most recent update has "much point" because numerous essential features had to be eliminated.
The creator of the well-known uBlock Origin Chrome extension, Raymond Hill, made the remark in his commit of the updated version on GitHub in reference to Google's impending switch to its Manifest v3 (MV3) API.
Hill advised users to stick with the MV2 extension if they want to take advantage of uBlock Origin's current set of features, citing the decision to deny "broad read/modify data permissions" to Chrome developers under MV3 as the "limiting factor" in the development of the new version of the extension.
Changes to Google Chrome's API
The new Google MV3 API, which has been in development since 2018, is said to provide a significant performance gain while also securing the security and privacy of users.
The elimination of crucial read and change data permissions—used by the majority of Chromium-based privacy and ad blocking applications—might appear to be a step in the right direction, but Chrome users may soon find privacy programmes more difficult to locate and use.
To stay safe online, they might instead turn to VPN services, the best VPN routers, or just another web browser.
Google has already forbidden the development of new MV2 extensions since January, but by January 2023, developers won't be allowed to upgrade existing MV2 extensions, and they won't function at all on consumer browsers.
Users using the Google Chrome ad blocking extension might then encounter more informational pop-ups on websites requesting their consent to receive cookies before being permitted to continue surfing, and they might also be diverted away from websites more frequently without being asked.
Because of this, it's doubtful whether the Chrome versions of ad blockers and privacy tools will have much of a future in the coming year.
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