Google Chrome closes loopholes that kept old ad blockers working
▼ Summary
– Chrome versions 150 and 151, due in late June and July, will remove the last workarounds for older ad blockers.
– Google began phasing out support for Manifest V2 ad blockers like uBlock Origin in 2024.
– Most Chrome users have already switched to Manifest V3 ad blockers like uBlock Origin Lite or moved to a different browser.
– After the update, only ad blockers built on the Manifest V3 platform will work in Chrome version 151 onward.
– Google is removing the final code references to the older Manifest V2 extensions platform.
Google Chrome is set to close the final loopholes that have allowed older ad blockers to keep running, marking the end of a long transition period for users who rely on these tools. The upcoming Chrome version 150 and 151, rolling out in late June and July respectively, will eliminate the last remaining code that supports Manifest V2 extensions like uBlock Origin. This follows Google’s initial phaseout of Manifest V2 support in 2024, which forced most Chrome users to either adopt newer Manifest V3 ad blockers such as uBlock Origin Lite or switch to alternative browsers entirely.
Starting with Chrome version 151, only extensions built on the Manifest V3 platform will function. Google is removing the final bits of code referencing its previous extensions architecture, meaning no workarounds will remain for older ad blockers. For users who have clung to older versions of Chrome or relied on unofficial patches, this update signals a definitive cutoff. The move is part of Google’s broader push to enhance browser security and performance, though it has drawn criticism from privacy advocates who argue that Manifest V3 limits the effectiveness of ad-blocking tools.
(Source: The Verge)
