All the way back in January 2019, Google publically announced the changes coming to how browser extensions would work in Chrome – the most popular internet browser in the world. The newly proposed system, called Manifest V3, would take over from the current system, Manifest V2.
These changes were supposed to start rolling out in January 2023 with experiments running on all three Chrome builds. But now that’s been delayed.
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The main reason for the proposed changes – according to Google – is to make web browser extensions more secure. But Manifest V3 faced backlash from developers almost immediately after the changes were made public.
Chief among the plaintiffs are ad-blocking extension developers and Jan Biniok, the developer of TamperMonkey. If you haven’t heard of that last one we won’t hold it against you. The TamperMonkey extension allows users to create, add, and run userscripts. Those are JavaScript programs that can change how webpages look and function. These are added after the extension is installed which contravenes one of Manifest V3’s new rules.
“Beginning in Manifest V3, we will disallow extensions from using remotely-hosted code. This will require that all code executed by the extension be present in the extension’s package uploaded to the webstore.”
You’re probably familiar with an ad blocker though. One of the changes proposed for Manifest V3 will obstruct most ad blockers from working properly.
uBlock Origin’s lead developer, Raymond Hill, was first off the mark to decry Manifest V3 followed closely by Ghostery devs who even threatened to open an anti-trust complaint against Google.
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But, if it ever gets to the point where Google has to choose between Manifest V2 and ad blockers or Manifest V3 as it currently stands and ‘better user privacy’, we don’t think that will be a very long meeting.
We’ve found a bit of breathing room with this delay and because nothing concrete has really happened yet, it isn’t likely to happen soon. Google’s timeline now shows the January 2023 start of things is postponed and the future milestones of June 2023 and January 2024 – when Manifest V2 would be removed completely – are under review.
Google is expected to provide a new plan detailing the changeover by March 2023.
Hopefully, the search giant and ad-blocking devs can figure out the way forward where both parties – those being Google and the wider public – can both achieve their goals. Or we may be facing a future with a lot more annoying pop-ups.
Source: 9to5Google