Manifest V3 comes into play, raising concerns for the future of privacy.
In June 2024, Google plans to introduce a new extension platform for the Chrome browser, known as Manifest V3, which will significantly complicate the work of ad blockers. The move will be part of an" arms race " in ad blocking, where YouTube and Chrome are using their advantage in updates to stay ahead of ad blocker developers.
Manifest V3 will introduce changes to the Chrome extension update mechanism, slowing down developers ability to adapt to changes. In particular, YouTube will be able to instantly change its ad delivery system, while it will be more difficult for extension developers to quickly respond to these changes due to new restrictions.
One of the key innovations of Manifest V3 is the replacement of the WebRequest API, which is actively used by ad blockers, with the more limited declarativeNetRequest API. This will allow Google to more strictly control the process of filtering network requests.
Developers of ad blocking extensions, such as Krzysztof Modras from Ghostery and the uBlock Origin team, note that to work effectively, they have to constantly update their blocking lists, sometimes even daily. However, with the introduction of Manifest V3, this will become more difficult, as all updates now have to go through the review process in the Chrome Web Store, which introduces delays.
It is also noted that changes related to Manifest V3 may limit innovation in the field of ad blocking and add additional obstacles to rapid response to new methods of advertising and tracking on the Internet.
Despite Google's claims that Manifest V3 will improve security and privacy in the browser, critics, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Mozilla, oppose these statements, pointing out the lack of real benefits for users and the potential threat to privacy.
At the moment, Chrome continues to work in the usual mode, but from June 2024, the mandatory application of Manifest V3 will begin.
In June 2024, Google plans to introduce a new extension platform for the Chrome browser, known as Manifest V3, which will significantly complicate the work of ad blockers. The move will be part of an" arms race " in ad blocking, where YouTube and Chrome are using their advantage in updates to stay ahead of ad blocker developers.
Manifest V3 will introduce changes to the Chrome extension update mechanism, slowing down developers ability to adapt to changes. In particular, YouTube will be able to instantly change its ad delivery system, while it will be more difficult for extension developers to quickly respond to these changes due to new restrictions.
One of the key innovations of Manifest V3 is the replacement of the WebRequest API, which is actively used by ad blockers, with the more limited declarativeNetRequest API. This will allow Google to more strictly control the process of filtering network requests.
Developers of ad blocking extensions, such as Krzysztof Modras from Ghostery and the uBlock Origin team, note that to work effectively, they have to constantly update their blocking lists, sometimes even daily. However, with the introduction of Manifest V3, this will become more difficult, as all updates now have to go through the review process in the Chrome Web Store, which introduces delays.
It is also noted that changes related to Manifest V3 may limit innovation in the field of ad blocking and add additional obstacles to rapid response to new methods of advertising and tracking on the Internet.
Despite Google's claims that Manifest V3 will improve security and privacy in the browser, critics, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Mozilla, oppose these statements, pointing out the lack of real benefits for users and the potential threat to privacy.
At the moment, Chrome continues to work in the usual mode, but from June 2024, the mandatory application of Manifest V3 will begin.
