Key Points:
- Manifest V3 Phased Rollout Begins June 3rd.
- Impact on Ad Blockers and Extension Security.
- Transition Timeline and Developer Adaptations.
Google is set to revolutionize its Chrome extensions with the introduction of Manifest V3, a new specification poised to reshape the functionality of ad blockers. Starting June 3rd, the company will begin phasing out the old system on the Chrome Beta, Dev, and Canary channels.
Users on these channels may soon encounter warning messages on their extension management pages, indicating that support for extensions running on Manifest V2 is ending. While these extensions will continue to function for now, Google plans to disable them in the “coming months” before ultimately removing the ability to use them altogether. This change will reach the stable version of Chrome, with a complete rollout anticipated by early 2025.
The transition to Manifest V3, although delayed, has sparked controversy due to fears that it could diminish the efficacy of ad blockers. In response, Google has addressed major developer concerns by incorporating support for user scripts and expanding the rulesets for the declarativeNetRequest API, which is essential for ad-blocking extensions. Additionally, Manifest V3 is expected to bolster the security of extensions by eliminating support for remotely hosted code.
As of now, Google reports that 85 percent of “actively maintained” extensions in the Chrome Web Store have already adapted to Manifest V3, including popular ad blockers such as AdBlock, Adblock Plus, uBlock, and AdGuard. This widespread adaptation indicates a significant move towards enhanced security and functionality within the Chrome ecosystem.
