Is uBlock Origin Lite an alternative to keep using Chrome with manifest V2 deprecated?
Posted by jpluimers on 2024/05/31
Having been a avid uBlock Origin user since when it came out in 2014 even before both Adblock and Adblock Plus headed over to the dark side.
I need to check out if [Wayback/Archive] uBlock Origin Lite is good enough now that Google is phasing out Manifest V2 (on which uBlock Origin and other ad blockers depend to provide full functionality).
When it isn’t, I might switch to Firefox or Brave as it should still support Manifest V2 as per
- [Wayback/Archive] Ublock origin still fine when chrome announced implementation of manifest V3? : uBlockOrigin.
- [Wayback/Archive] Brave Software on X: “We realize many of our users still want to use third-party ad blocker extensions. To give you as many options as possible for online privacy and security, Brave will support Manifest V2 extensions such as uBlock Origin even after Chrome stops doing so.”
Firefox for instance has some drawbacks with input handling when editing WordPress posts which Chromium based web-browsers (including Brave) don’t have.
Via:
- [Wayback/Archive] Google’s Manifest V3 changes will soon disable uBlock Origin on Chrome
- [Wayback/Archive] Fefes Blog: Google kündigt Chrome ab
- [Wayback/Archive] vx-underground on X: “Google confirms they will disable uBlock Origin in Chrome in 2024 More information: “
Related:
- [Wayback/Archive] About Manifest V2 [Deprecated] – Chrome for Developers
- [Wayback/Archive] Ublock Origin Stopped Working | Manifest V3 uBlock Origin | Ghostery
- [Wayback/Archive] Redit: ELI5: uBlock Lite vs. uBlock Origin : uBlockOrigin
uBO Lite:
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- Filter lists update only when the extension updates (no fetching up to date lists from servers)
- Many filters are [Wayback/Archive] dropped at conversion time due to MV3’s limited filter syntax
- No [Wayback/Archive] crafting your own filters (thus no element picker)
- No [Wayback/Archive] strict-blocked pages
- No [Wayback/Archive] per-site switches
- No [Wayback/Archive] dynamic filtering
…
[Wayback/Archive] Chrome extension manifest v3 proposal · Issue #338 · uBlockOrigin/uBlock-issues · GitHub
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- [Wayback/Archive] vx-underground on X: “Google confirms they will disable uBlock Origin in Chrome in 2024 More information: “
[Wayback/Archive] Reddit: Google confirms they will disable uBlock Origin in Chrome in 2024 : uBlockOrigin
They said the same thing about January this year, then it was changed to June…
Considering they’ve been planning it since 2018 I wouldn’t hold my breath- [Wayback/Archive] vx-underground on X: “To more specific and to avoid confusion (as it probably will), Google Chrome is transitioning to MV3 (Manifest Version 3) …”
To more specific and to avoid confusion (as it probably will), Google Chrome is transitioning to MV3 (Manifest Version 3) which alleges to “improve content filtering support” for the Declarative Net Request API which is used by many ad blocking plugins (and many, many other Chrome plugins). Google states these changes are for API security concerns. Many plugin developers (uBlock included) expressed concern that this move from MV2 to MV3 will render their plugins useless (or non-functional), despite this feedback Google has stated they will move forward regardless.
Some speculate this is an intentional move by Google due to suspected loss of ad-revenue.
We don’t know.
The EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) stated they believe MV3 puts unnecessary restrictions on developers, individuals from AdGuard believe this to be a positive change.
uBlock Origin is prepared for MV3 with uBlock Lite, however this version is limited its functionality (so we’re told).
- [Wayback/Archive] vx-underground on X: “One last bit of information. Here is a list of missing functionality from uBlock when MV3 is deployed “
[Wayback/Archive] uBlock I saw information they have Manifest V3 : uBlockOrigin
uBO requires MV2.
uBO Lite (uBOL) is an MV3-based content blocker, but it is very limited compared to uBO due to the restrictions imposed by MV3:
- Filter lists update only when the extension updates (thus no fetching of up-to-date lists from servers)
- Many filters are dropped at conversion time due to MV3’s limited filter syntax
- No [Wayback/Archive] importing of third-party filter lists
- No [Wayback/Archive] crafting of your own filters (thus no [Wayback/Archive] element picker)
- No [Wayback/Archive] strict-blocked pages
- No [Wayback/Archive] per-site switches
- No [Wayback/Archive] dynamic filtering
uBOL is not designed or intended to be a replacement for uBO.
…
Microsoft is planning to deprecate MV2 in Edge:
[Wayback/Archive] learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/extensions-chromium/developer-guide/manifest-v3Brave has previously stated that they will continue to support MV2:
[Wayback/Archive] twitter.com/brave/status/1574822799700541446We realize many of our users still want to use third-party ad blocker extensions.
To give you as many options as possible for online privacy and security, Brave will support Manifest V2 extensions such as uBlock Origin even after Chrome stops doing so.
…
Even more recent:
- [Wayback/Archive] Brave Software on X: “We’ve seen the headlines about Google killing ad blockers. Two important points: 1. Google’s changes will not stop Brave from blocking ads. 2. We will support uBlock Origin and uMatrix even after Chrome stops doing so.”
- [Wayback/Archive] Brave Software on X: “Google is rolling out new Manifest V3 rules for extensions in 2024 that will limit the capabilities of ad blocker extensions. These extension rules won’t prevent Brave from blocking ads or trackers because we built these features directly into our browser.”
- [Wayback/Archive] Brave Software on X: “While Brave offers leading privacy protections as soon as you install it, we also want users to have as much choice as possible. That’s why we plan to support uBlock Origin and uMatrix, without restrictions, even after Manifest V3 is rolled out.”
- [Wayback/Archive] Brave Software on X: “Even though Manifest V3 doesn’t hinder Brave, we’re concerned that Google is moving forward with a plan that hurts user choice and privacy. It’s just one of many ways that Google is harming the Open Web and putting its ad business above users. More here:”
[Wayback/Archive] Privacy And Competition Concerns with Google’s Privacy Sandbox | Brave
- [Wayback/Archive] vx-underground on X: “To more specific and to avoid confusion (as it probably will), Google Chrome is transitioning to MV3 (Manifest Version 3) …”
--jeroen
The Wiert Corner - irregular stream of stuff 
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