Google’s Chrome extension cull hits more uBlock Origin users - USE FUCKING BRAVE

Google is disabling the original uBlock Origin ad blocker for more Chrome browser users, alongside other extensions that are no longer supported as the browser migrates to its new extension specification, Manifest V3. According to Google, the new standard aims to improve privacy and security, but also removes a feature that some ad blocking extensions relied on to work — a compromise that Mozilla is unwilling to make for its own Firefox browser.

Users online are reporting on Reddit and X that Chrome is removing outdated extensions. In Chrome, a notification window will appear underneath the extensions tab on the browser taskbar with a message encouraging users to remove the impacted add-on, saying it has been turned off and is “no longer supported.” Two buttons are available that allow users to either quickly delete or manage their extensions.

Google’s uBlock Origin phaseout on Chromium-based browsers began in October, but started to have a wider impact in recent weeks. Bleeping Computer has also reported that extensions on staffers devices are being turned off, and Verge staffers have seen similar updates on our own machines.

These changes come as Google migrates Chrome away from the now defunct Manifest V2 specification. Support is being killed not just for uBlock Origin, but for any extension that hasn’t (or is unable to) update to Manifest V3. uBlock Origin users can switch to uBlock Origin Lite, which has more limited filtering capabilities than its predecessor due to Manifest V3’s ad blocking restrictions.

Chrome won’t be the only service affected by the Manifest V3 rollout — other Chromium-based web browsers like Microsoft Edge are also losing V2 support and Brave says it can only offer “limited” support once all Manifest V2 items are removed from the Chrome Web Store. Mozilla says that Firefox will continue offering both extension specifications, however, potentially giving uBlock Origin users a new browser to relocate to.

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[Can of Bread]

Brave is still based on chromium IIRC, just use Firefox + uBlock.

I get the feeling this is going to be another Apple-Samsung thing, though less combative since Google has a major stake in Mozilla. Mozilla will say Firefox will continue to have an extension library that will continue to be adblock friendly, and then after a while will also go to their own variant of Manifest V3 that subtly ruins adblock capabilities.

The main thing is to not use main branches of browsers. Use forks. If you like Chromium, use Brave or some other privacy/adblock-friendly browser. If you like Firefox, use Librewolf, Zen, etc. Hopefully Ladybird will end up being neat, so that we have a third foundational browser.

I thought that the Edge browser was going to continue supporting uBlock Origin even after Google crapped up its niggercattle browser.

Edge is going to support it for the time being, but they will eventually phase it out. They just have not decided on a date for when they will end Manifest V2 support in Edge.

Per Microsoft:

In October 2020, Microsoft announced the decision to embrace Manifest V3 to help reduce fragmentation of the web for all developers and enhance privacy, security, and performance for end users.

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[Crunkle]

I thought that the Edge browser was going to continue supporting uBlock Origin even after Google crapped up its niggercattle browser.

technically impossible, Edge is built on the same engine as Chrome so will eventually have to use it. Unless Microsoft write a new extension store but I can't see them doing that

 

[popsoda]

I will always block ads, and when I finally can't block ads, I'll stop browsing the interwebs.

 

[florida_cat_enjoyer]

Corpos are out of their minds if they think I'm going to surf without adblock, It's borderline unusable.

I was unfortunate enough to use a work desktop to show a coworker something and I kid you not it was actually unusable. I had to immediately install an adblocker. You’d have to be completely tech illiterate to think this internet browsing experience was acceptable. This was a 14th gen i7 with 32 gb of ram system btw.

 

[Patrick Not-Star]

A small minority of global Internet users even use adblockers at all, and Google loses only marginal amounts of money from adblock users.
This sort of penny pinching is the death rattle of a dying company.

I think people here on the Farms forget that most people are not familiar with ad blockers. Google would face severe financial consequences if even a sizeable minority downloaded and installed ad blockers. While we like to think that the people are powerless to stop exploitation by large corporations, the reality is that it would only take millions of people clicking a few buttons to cause one of the most evil companies in the world to collapse.

Brave is still based on chromium IIRC, just use Firefox + uBlock.

Firefox is spyware.

I recommend using LibreWolf or Mullvad Browser. Both have far better privacy and use far less system resources.

 

[Blewberry Nausea]

Fuck all y’all, Safari till I die!

 

[trash cat]

Has anyone archived the chrome web store so we don't lose access to all the Manifest v2 extensions that have been written and published?

 

[dick brain]

I will always block ads, and when I finally can't block ads, I'll stop browsing the interwebs.

People think I'm joking when I say this but I have stopped using virtually everything. No social media, no content curation/aggregation, no videogames, no tv, no porn, just kiwifarms, youtube and audiobooks. In many cases it wasn't even a conscious decision or protest, the sites and services just got so gayed up and pozzed that they weren't worth the hassle/time anymore. If youtube gets fagged up, I'll just listen to more audiobooks.

These people think we'll keep buying what they're selling as long as there's no alternative but when you make something worse than nothing, nothing becomes a viable alternative.

I already don't update (degoogled) chromium or trannyfox unless I have a reason to. By the time they stop working, there will either be an alternative or the internet will be too pozzed to bother with.

 

[izaNAmI]

Has anyone archived the chrome web store so we don't lose access to all the Manifest v2 extensions that have been written and published?

uBlock is FOSS. https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock

However, Mozilla will inevitably drop support for MV2, similar to how they killed their legacy addins in 2018. Mozilla is running out of money and talent, so being the only browser to support MV2 long term won't be feasible.

For better or worse, this will likely end up as the last controversy that kills Firefox.

 

[Instant_Pot_User]

Once this stops working, I'm moving to Firefox. Again. Fuck.

 

[jertzog]

I will always block ads, and when I finally can't block ads, I'll stop browsing the interwebs.

With metered data use more and more commonplace even for home internet, I'm going to try and support any initiatives that bring litigation towards companies that force ads unsolicited. With any luck, one cancer can be weaponized to cripple the other.

 

[6 Years Ago]

If all the browsers are gimped wouldn't people just start blocking ads at the DNS level?

 

[Pinball 2000]

If all the browsers are gimped wouldn't people just start blocking ads at the DNS level?

That's actually what I started doing myself a couple of years ago because I figured that eventually, we were going to reach a point where the browsers themselves would actively try to discourage you from blocking their ads. I figured the easier solution was to just eliminate the middleman and block them directly.

There are a couple of system-level DNS-blocking programs and services, but if you're willing to shell out some money for a retard-proof adblock solution, I've been a user of AdGuard for a couple of years now. They have apps for pretty much every computer and phone OS and once it's installed, you forget it's even running.

 

[Troonos]

I wish Nasim succeeded.

 

[analrapist]

The author of the Thorium fork of Chromium is committed to supporting ManifestV2, but the newest version released is 130.

https://github.com/Alex313031/Thorium-Win/releases/tag/M126.0.6478.231 - https://archive.ph/420Vo

 

[Dysnomia]

How does one use the internet without ad block..?

I was exposed to it only once on a new phone and its unuseable.

It's a nightmare. I have no idea how anyone can stand it. People are going to continue to find ways to block ads no matter what.

 

[Caligura]

you can just turn it back on and it works

And iirc uBlock Lite works fine but idk how much will Google crack down on that

 

[Oliver Onions]

Corpos are out of their minds if they think I'm going to surf without adblock, It's borderline unusable.

I use the YouTube app on my Playstation because it's a hassle connecting my laptop and the amount of ads is outrageous. A 15 minute video can have 3 or 4 separate ad breaks, not counting the ones before and after the video.

I figured out a way to skip them but it's still obnoxious as fuck, I don't know how anyone tolerates it.

Brave is still based on chromium IIRC, just use Firefox + uBlock.

Firefox recently amended their T&Cs to remove any option to opt out of them collecting your data. You can engage in some digital voodoo to fix it (for now) but they're just as pozzed as the rest, and have been for a while now.

 

[Squawking Macaw]

If this starts affecting Brave I'll have to jump ship, in my experience its built-in adblocker is faulty and lets a bunch of ads through. uBlock is a must.

 

[Lone Wandering Courier]

If this starts affecting Brave I'll have to jump ship, in my experience its built-in adblocker is faulty and lets a bunch of ads through. uBlock is a must.

You can enable additional blocklists in the settings for brave's builtin blocker