Google pulls the plug on uBlock Origin

Apparently users with the ExtensionManifestV2Availability policy will be spared until June 2025.

https://chromeenterprise.google/policies/#ExtensionManifestV...

https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/develop/migrate...

That's setting a registry value and having Chrome settings pages telling you that "Your browser is managed" for another six months of V2 uBlock Origin.

If the plug has already been pulled then this works, I've had this set in my registry for a while and uBO is still chugging along as per normal.

Glad I've been using Firefox for the last 4 years since Manifest v3 was more formally announced.

I've been keeping Firefox around just waiting for Google to pull this stunt.

RIP Chrome, 2008-2024.

Discussions:

(180 points, 12 days ago, 45 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41140185

(99 points, 3 days ago, 102 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41220764

Realistically, on a bog standard installation of uBlock Origin, how different will my experience be with the v3 compatible uBlock Origin Lite? I'm not sure if I'm even using any of the "advanced" features or not.

I’ve been using Brave since Google announced they were going to do this. Blocking is built in and they support ublock origin with manifest v2 “for now” https://brave.com/blog/brave-shields-manifest-v3/

How are only 30M people on Chrome using uBO? How do the other people survive on the web?

> uBlock Origin will continue to work as usual across other browsers, including Microsoft Edge, Opera, and more.

how far will they go to "dont say Firefox"

I have on my browser several multilingual dictionary extensions and others by small developers that I do not completely trust. I do not have the inclination to audit the code, and I want to keep the extensions updated. There is a very real possibility that the authors sell control over them to malicious actors. Manifest v3 deprecating remote-hosted code makes it more feasible to use such extensions without trusting these developers, only google's review process. For me this is more important than uBlock Origin being able to execute remote-hosted code for ad-blocking.

I kinda hate the focus on (well-deserved) uBo but not the whole Manifest V3 bullshit itself.

It affects extensions like uBos most, for sure, and for some of its core features it cannot even be worked around.

But it also hurts the "long tail" of the extension scene badly.

I have dozens of mature, not-really-need-to-frequently-update extensions that require (perhaps trivial) changes to fit Manifest V3. But god knows if the author is still around or bothered to update them. I'm sure some of them are not because I had to download the source code and install them manually.

It's basically python 2 to 3 transition but for Chrome WebExt, even if you ignore the new API restriction part.

---------------

On a broader note, I'm increasingly frustrated by the constant pressure on users to adapt their habits to software changes.

This isn't just about Chrome or browsers in general.

Every year, I find myself spending countless hours battling changes in Chrome, Firefox, Office, Windows, MacOS, not to mention various websites, just to restore functionalities or user experiences that were already there but have been altered or removed. This often involves tweaking hidden settings, using command line switches, or relying on third-party or self-made extensions and scripts. And it affects so-called 'power users' the most because they're typically the ones who use the software or service to its fullest.

I consider myself someone who is open to change. For example, when they move the search button for the umpteenth time (I'm looking at you, Google Play Store), it's annoying, but I can adapt.

However, the removal of a feature is something you can't simply "adapt" to. It leads to a tangible loss of productivity, and it's even more frustrating when a feature that was previously available is suddenly gone.

For those that, for whatever your reason, haven't already migrated over to something else by now it might save you a bit of effort to flip the flag described here https://support.umbrella.com/hc/en-us/articles/2110644495733... and see what the best options look like in 2025 after forks and the like have had a chance to prove out their stances a bit and the Firefox's funding situation after the Google search deal ruling looks clearer.

Good, here you go

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/

Before people take this at pure headline value:

"uBlock Origin fans can rest at ease since a new and improved version is already available — uBlock Origin Lite. It's worth noting that while the new app ships with similar features to the original version, including core ad-blocking features, it doesn't support dynamic filters for blocking scriptlet injection. The Lite version's capabilities are relatively limited due to its compliance with the Manifest V3 framework threshold."

I have zero sympathy for any users affected by this, especially the Google apologists that haunt Hacker News. Everyone knows Google is first and foremost an ad company whose business model is based on building intrusive profiles of individual users that can be aggregated, sliced and diced, and sold to Google’s customers, aka advertisers. Go pull Google’s 10K and see how they make their money.

I have like 20 extentions in the "may soon lo longer be supported" list, several without good alternatives, are they all getting the can soon or are adblockers being specifically targetted?

It's a good thing I'm not petty enough to keep a record of all the prominent people who said the warnings were overblown.

- Sent from my Firefox

Methods to enforce ExtensionManifestV2Availability on Linux for Chromium (and variants) and Chrome: https://github.com/uBlockOrigin/uBlock-issues/discussions/29...

[dupe]

More discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41140185

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41220764

A while back I installed uBlock on my grandparents' computer to help them avoid scammy ads. This change will make it more difficult and dangerous, for elderly users to browse the internet. As a young nerd, I can switch to Firefox easily, but I can't imagine it will be easy for everyone. My experience from using Firefox is that it has its own quirks, and comes with its own learning curve.

I don't know what to say but to encourage everyone to make some noise. Please let your representative know about this. Hopefully we can still put a stop to this before it's too late.

Happy to have made the switch back to FF a few years ago, much nicer experience.

Seriously, if there’s any security risk here it’s Chrome.

Ffs, even the FBI recommends using an ad blocker.

So what workarounds are there? Pi-hole still good to go?

What does sus mean?

Google Chrome is the new IE6. I find increasingly website won't work in firefox, but will in chrome, which is exactly what you would see in the dark ages of the internet with organizations still actually using microsoft web servers and .net code (or activex) that only work in IE. With Google increasingly unfriendly attitude toward their users, I stopped using Chrome unless necessary (per previous comment) a good 6 years ago and never looked back.

I liked Google a lot more before they removed the "Don't be evil" from their motto and embraced the dark side to become utter scumbags.

Honestly, this is an argument for breaking Google apart.

If chrome was not driven to protect ad money for Google ads, then this wouldn’t have happened.

yeah, this was expected when they nerfed uBlock (and various other extensions) with the manifest v3. Using another alternatives is the way now for me too, like other comments, using Firefox.

If you haven't made the switch to Firefox, now is the time. There's no reason to keep supporting Google through Chrome. There hasn't been one in years.

I remember I had good threads with people defending Chrome and calling Safari the new IE. The tribalism defending Chrome should stop.

Mozilla can pull the plug, too. Unless one is using a Firefox derivative the risk is the same.

Not sure why people think Mozilla is different. It is financially dependent on Google.

Need a smaller, simpler browser that anyone can compile. Then it does not matter what these companies do. Source code can be edited by its users to meet their requirements.