The claim that Google Chrome will remove ad blockers fell on the agenda of social media. Especially in Ekşi Sözlük, this claim became controversial. The claim in question is based on a report prepared by the British technology news site The Register. According to that news, Google’s Chrome Web Store is expected to stop accepting Manifest V2 (Mv2) extension submissions later this month. Starting January 2023, with limited exceptions for enterprise versions, Chrome will stop running extensions built using Mv2. In short, this period will be the end of an era for Manifest V2 products. In June 2023, enterprise versions of Chrome will also prevent Mv2 extensions from working.
“FOR EXTENSION AND LESS INNOVATION”
The Manifest V2 (Mv2) extension platform is replaced by the more advanced Manifest V3 (Mv3). As several extension developers argue, the result of moving to Manifest V3 will be fewer extensions and fewer innovations. It is claimed that extensions designed to protect privacy and block ads and other content will not work as effectively in a scenario where they work in Manifest v3.
Describing this development as “more insidious”, technologist Alexei Miagkov told The Register, “Manifest v3 limits certain capabilities of extensions and reduces their innovation potential.” said.
SO WHAT DOES GOOGLE SAY?
Google, on the other hand, disagrees with the developers. The technology giant argues the opposite of what is said. The internet giant says that with the renewal of its extension platform, it will meet the needs of all developers, including those who develop tools and extensions for ad blocking and privacy, the internet giant claims that Mv3 aims to improve privacy by limiting the access of extensions to sensitive data and works with extension developers to balance their needs with those of users.
Google insists the change isn’t about blocking content blockers. But the developers still agree.
Chromium-based browsers such as Brave, Opera and Vivaldi have expressed their interest in continuing to support Mv2.
IMPORTANT EXPLANATION FROM BRAVE’S AUTHORIZED NAME
“Manifest v2 extensions will be supported by Brave,” Brave VP of Engineering Brian Clifton commented on GitHub in 2021. he said. Stating that they would take steps in this regard at that time, Clifton said, “We can keep this functionality by patching. After v2 is withdrawn from the store, we will need to create our own extension store for manifest v2.” he had added.