What to do when Google is about to remove your favorite browser extensions?

Why is Google about to remove your favorite extensions?

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In Manifest V2, extensions rely on an API feature called Web Request to monitor traffic when visiting web pages, allowing them to intercept or modify selected requests in transit. For example, when using the Web Request API, extensions can block websites from sending requests to certain domains, such as domains belonging to advertisers, ultimately blocking ads and browsers. monitor.

However, malicious actors can also take advantage of Web Requests to create shady Chrome extensions. Google has long been concerned about malicious actors taking advantage of the Web Request API. That's why in Manifest V3, Google moved the blocking functionality to a new API called Declarative Net Request and restricted some of the previous functionality.

For example, Google removed support for remotely hosted code, meaning extensions can only execute scripts included in the package. This gives the company complete authority to decide what extensions can and cannot do as they manually review packages before releasing them on the Chrome Web Store. Manifest V3 also limits the number of filtering rules an extension can have, which can hinder the effectiveness of extension blocking.

According to Google, Manifest V3 will help enhance "the security, privacy, performance, and reliability of the entire extension ecosystem." However, if some of your favorite extensions rely on removed or limited functionality, they may no longer be effective or, worse, disappear forever when Manifest V3 is released to everyone. user.

How to check which Chrome extensions are affected

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You can check if your extension is affected by navigating to chrome://extensions . On this page, you'll see a list of extensions that Chrome will no longer support when Manifest V3 launches.

If one of your extensions is affected, you can hope the developer will update the extension as soon as possible before Google's deadline. However, you can also look for alternative extensions with the same functionality.

Google has a handy Find Alternative button available on the chrome://extensions page for any extension that will no longer exist if the developer doesn't provide an update ahead of time.

Alternatively, switch to another browser like Firefox, which still supports the Web Request API. Most Chrome extensions are also available on Firefox, so you probably won't miss much if you switch. If you're worried about losing data, you don't need to worry too much. You can easily switch from Chrome to any other browser while keeping your bookmarks and settings intact.

Samuel Daniel

Update 09 August 2024