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Google’s Chrome Web Store is now issuing warnings that the uBlock Origin ad blocker and other extensions may soon be blocked due to the company’s phase-out of the Manifest V2 extension framework.
According to the Chrome Web Store page for uBlock Origin, “This extension may soon no longer be supported because it doesn’t adhere to best practices for Chrome extensions.”
The notification includes a link to a Google support page, indicating that browser extensions might be disabled to enhance user privacy and security.
“To better protect your privacy and security, Chrome and the Chrome Web Store require extensions to comply with updated standards,” Google’s support message explains. “As part of this, Chrome may disable extensions that don’t meet the new guidelines.”
Warning of Potential Blocking for uBlock Origin Warning of Potential Blocking for uBlock Origin. The warning was initially reported today by users on X, who encountered a different message on the Chrome Web Store, indicating that the extension was no longer available.
However, It observed that this message was not consistently shown across various browsers and devices, instead seeing the previously mentioned alert. It is unclear whether the original message was an error that has since been corrected.
The latest warning advises users to switch to alternative ad blockers compatible with Manifest V3, such as Hill’s uBlock Origin Lite or other similar options. Many Chrome users have expressed intentions to switch to other browsers if uBlock Origin becomes unavailable.
Despite the alert, there is no known security issue with uBlock Origin or similar extensions displaying this warning. Instead, it is a result of Google’s ongoing effort to retire the Manifest V2 (MV2) extension framework, which uBlock Origin currently utilizes.
In August, Google began issuing direct warnings to users within the browser, stating that the extension may soon be disabled, advising them to seek alternatives.
Manifest V2 Extension Warning in Google Chrome Manifest V2 Extension Warning in Google Chrome. At that time, Raymond Hill, lead developer of uBlock Origin, explained that these warnings stem from Google’s decision to discontinue support for Manifest V2 extensions in favor of the newer Manifest V3 (MV3) standard.
“uBO is a Manifest V2 extension, which is why you’re seeing the warning in your Google Chrome browser. There is no Manifest V3 version of uBO, so the browser suggests alternative extensions as replacements for uBO,” Hill clarified in August.
“uBO Lite (uBOL) is a simplified version of uBO, which has been adapted to comply with the Manifest V3 framework, with a focus on preserving reliability and efficiency, which has always been central to uBO since its launch in June 2014.”
These Manifest versions are technical specifications that set out the rules, permissions, and APIs developers must use to build Chrome extensions. Back in 2019, Google announced its plans to phase out Manifest V2 in favor of Manifest V3, which started rolling out with Chrome 88 in December 2020.
