Google is moving ahead with its plans to limit ad-blocking extensions in its Chrome browser, despite outcry from users and developers. The company originally announced the plans for the new “Manifest V3” extension format a year ago, but paused the rollout due to concerns about the impact it would have on popular extensions. The plan is now set to be implemented in June 2024.

The new format will see the current format, Manifest V2, phased out. Once this happens, extensions using Manifest V2 will be automatically disabled in Chrome and will no longer be able to install V2 extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Users will be limited to using the new, more limited filtering extensions.

Google’s argument for the changes is that it will make the browser lighter on resources and better protect user privacy. However, critics have argued that the move will actually make users more vulnerable to privacy invasions, given Google’s own data practices. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has called Google’s description of Manifest V3 “deceitful and threatening” and doubts that it will improve security.

There are also concerns about the impact on ad blockers. The new format imposes a limit on the number of filtering rules that content filtering add-ons can include. While Google initially set this limit at a mere 5,000 rules, it was later increased to 30,000 after widespread backlash. However, popular ad-blocking extension uBlock Origin contains over 300,000 filtering rules, making the limit still highly restrictive.

Firefox, another popular browser, is also implementing Manifest V3 but without the same limitations on filtering and other capabilities. This means users may need to switch to Firefox or another non-limited browser to continue using their preferred ad-blocking extensions.

Overall, the changes to Chrome’s extension format have been met with criticism and skepticism. Users and developers fear that the limitations will reduce the effectiveness of ad blockers and compromise user privacy. Meanwhile, Google maintains that the changes will improve browser performance and security. The full impact won’t be seen until the new format is implemented in 2024.