Google Delays a Controversial Change to Chrome Extensions

Google formally launched a brand new normal for Chrome extensions on the finish of 2020, referred to as Manifest V3, which isn’t well-liked with everybody. Now the corporate is delaying plans to dam extensions that haven’t been up to date but.

Manifest V3 is the brand new software program platform for Chrome extensions, which is meant to be sooner and safer than the older Manifest V2 base, however the migration has been controversial. Some APIs have been eliminated and changed with less-helpful alternate options, primarily affecting content material blocker extensions like uBlock Origin and AdGuard. Google deliberate to begin turning off Manifest V2 extensions in January 2023, then roll out the change to everybody (excluding giant organizations) round mid-2023.

Google has now printed an announcement within the Google Group for Chromium Extensions, explaining that the transition is now on maintain. The announcement mentioned, “we’re suspending any January experiments to show off Manifest V2 in pre-release channels of Chrome and adjustments to the featured badge within the Chrome Webstore, and we’ll be evaluating all downstream milestones as properly.” The corporate plans to have a brand new timeline prepared someday earlier than March 2023.

The delay means extension builders have extra time to plan a transition to Manifest V3. There are additionally many extensions on the Chrome Net Retailer that can by no means be up to date to V3 — both as a result of porting them is simply too troublesome, or the unique creators aren’t engaged on them anymore — which is able to now keep round a bit longer.

Microsoft can also be reviewing its timeline for Manifest V3 assist within the Edge browser, which was beforehand scheduled to reflect Google’s rollout. Mozilla Firefox continues to be within the strategy of including assist for V3 extensions, and has no plans proper now to part out V2 extensions.

Supply: Google, Microsoft