uBlock Origin, the esteemed ad blocker, has issued a warning to Chrome users to transition to uBlock Origin Lite as Chrome begins notifying users that uBlock Origin will no longer be supported (starting in Chrome 127).
This adjustment stems from Chrome’s evolving policy, shifting extension APIs from Manifest V2 to Manifest V3. Users of the original uBlock Origin extension (as well as other V2-based extensions) have been notified in the browser, potentially catching those not following the Manifest issue by surprise.
uBlock Origin Lite is crafted in Manifest V3, altering content filtering on webpages through browser-side processing (unlike V2, which was extension-side). The outcome is a more resource-efficient operation, promising heightened privacy (since the extension does not directly access all webpage content). However, this transition comes at the cost of certain features from the original uBlock Origin that Google now prohibits (with a document comparing the two versions).
The development team asserts that uBlock Origin and uBlock Origin Lite have diverged significantly, effectively becoming distinct extensions. Existing users must independently install uBlock Origin Lite from the Chrome Web Store, as a straightforward upgrade is not feasible.
While the original uBlock Origin extension will continue to evolve, given that other browsers still support Manifest V2, such as Firefox which will accommodate both V2 and V3.
Source: uBlock Origin
TLDR: Chrome users are advised to switch to uBlock Origin Lite following changes to extension APIs, with the original uBlock Origin undergoing modifications due to Chrome’s updated policy.
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