Skip to main content

Google Chrome’s latest decision could prevent most ad-blockers from functioning

If you’re running an ad-block extension in Google’s Chrome web browser, you could soon find it becoming inoperable. A discovery made by Raymond Hunt, the developer of the open-source ad-block extension uBlock Origin, pointed out that Google might be dropping support for the webRequest API in its latest Manifest V3 documentation. The removal of such an API for developers could potentially damage the operability of most ad-block extensions on the platform — except for one, an extension that Google reportedly pays to have its ads whitelisted.

One of the most popular ad-block extensions on the web, Adblock Plus, currently has a system in place that allows companies such as Google to pay to have their “non-obtrusive” ads whitelisted from the system. The AdBlock Plus extension does not rely on the webRequest API, but instead what is known as the DeclarativeNetRequest API. This new offering operates in a different way than the original API, giving the web browser more control over what can be blocked.

With the previous webRequest API, when a user requested a website, the information would flow through the ad-block extension, allowing it to select what to restrict from showing on a webpage. On the other hand, the new DeclarativeNetRequest API would notify Google of the request to remove information such as advertisements — the browser itself would then have the final say in the situation.

Google has noted that the new API allows Chrome to work more efficiently, eliminating the need for extensions to process data before being able to handle it. Additionally, the company cites security as a major concern, saying that the new API is more secure as “the details of the network request are never exposed to the extension.”

The issue is one of an uncertain future; while it is possible that ad-block extensions could adjust to the changes, there is concern that Google may be given too much control with the latest API, choosing to disallow ad-block systems from blocking ads served by the company. Whether or not the new change will bring a faster, more secure experience to Chrome, or merely serve as a tool for allowing advertisements to slip in from Google Ads is yet to be seen.

Editors' Recommendations

Michael Archambault
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Michael Archambault is a technology writer and digital marketer located in Long Island, New York. For the past decade…
Google Chrome’s latest update solves the browser’s biggest problem
Google Chrome icon in mac dock.

Google Chrome is one of the best browsers around, but it's always had a big problem with memory usage. It's finally addressing the issue in a new Chrome 110 update that promises to reduce RAM usage by up to 30% and make the browser for efficient.

Chrome has a reputation for its speed, security, and feature drops, as well as a penchant for hanging on to your precious RAM like an episode of Hoarders. Granted, Google has made strides in improving Chrome's memory efficiency by hibernating tabs in the background, but it still struggles with it compared to Microsoft Edge or Mozilla Firefox.

Read more
Google may have just fixed Chrome’s most annoying problem
A Macbook with Google Chrome opened to a Gmail inbox.

While Google Chrome is one of the best web browsers, over the years it has gained a reputation for being something of a resource hog, gobbling up your PC’s memory like it’s going out of style. That can be a problem if you’re running other resource-heavy tasks and don’t want things to slow down. Now, Chrome has been updated with two new features that cut down on memory usage and extend your laptop’s battery life, according to Google. The changes are set to roll out today with the latest release of Chrome on desktop (version m108).The first new feature, dubbed Memory Saver, is designed to reduce the amount of memory Chrome’s tabs use. It does this by freeing up memory from inactive tabs, and putting them to sleep so they can’t monopolize your system’s resources. When you need to access the tabs again, they will be reloaded and become active. The goal of Energy Saver, meanwhile, is fairly self-explanatory -- helping your laptop battery last longer -- but it does so in a somewhat interesting way. When your battery drops to 20%, Chrome will try to prolong your battery life by “limiting background activity and visual effects for websites with animations and videos.”Presumably, this means Chrome will limit the kind of flashy effects that have made a comeback in web design in recent years. Google says that when these new features launch, users will still be able to customize them to their liking. You can disable either Memory Saver or Energy Saver (or both), and mark certain websites as exempt in Chrome’s settings. The changes could turn out to be important. While Chrome has managed to become the dominant Windows web browser and one of the best browsers for Mac, it has been plagued by poor memory management for years. If Memory Saver and Energy Saver are able to help ameliorate that -- and make your battery last longer too -- then Google might have gone some way to fixing Chrome’s biggest problem. Both Memory Saver and Energy Saver will be launched globally over the next few weeks. The features are coming to Chrome on Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS.

Read more
Half of Google Chrome extensions may be collecting your personal data
Google Chrome icon in mac dock.

Data risk management company Incogni has found that half of every installed Google Chrome extension has a high to very high risk of collecting personal data, showing a strong correlation to the number of permissions given.

After analyzing 1,237 Chrome extensions found in the Chrome Web Store, a study by Incogni has uncovered some troubling findings. Nearly half (48.7%) of the extensions were found to potentially expose users' personally identifiable information (PII), distribute malware and adware, and record passwords and financial information.

Read more