Chrome’s next weapon in the War on Ad Blockers: Slower extension updates

Lee Duna@lemmy.nz to Technology@lemmy.world – 226 points –
Chrome’s next weapon in the War on Ad Blockers: Slower extension updates
arstechnica.com
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I've always helped everyone I'm helping with their computers to switch to Firefox, but that's not enough.

In 2004 I blogged about How to install Firefox 1.0 perhaps it's time for an update of that article?

A near 20 year old guide on installing Firefox, now that is cool. You have been doing the lord's work for many years. Fistbump

In our battle against Chromium zombies, we need veterans like you. Please update your blog and continue our crusade against Google horde.

Do you still do webdesign? You may want to check on your website vs content encoding.

von Ihnen zu hören

Not really, but yeah I theoretically need to fix it, but at the same time it's kind of part of the past before the time of utf-8 everywhere where you would see this happening from time to time. Perhaps some day if I have time.

I'm blessed enough to have been to Varberg (listed on your page next to your name). Amazingly beautiful area. I ate wild cloud berries I found while on a hike in the forest.

Oh very cool! I love cloud berries by far my favorite berries ever.

Sadly, the only place I can get them is IKEA as jam, but yeah.... They are the best!

Are you finding that jam outside of Sweden? I think I need to check next time I'm there.

The only cloud berry product I've ever seen in the USA is the jam from IKEA. They seem to have it in stock a few times per year.

The relevant: Manifest V3 drops support for filter list updates. Adblocker updates, even if only filter list updates, need to go through the Chrome Web Store extension update approval process.

When Manifest V3 becomes mandatory, those updates that need to arrive "at minimum on a daily basis" will no longer be an option. Limiting remotely hosted code sounds like a totally reasonable limitation until you realize that. like most Manifest V3 changes, it seems carefully crafted to cripple ad blockers more than other extensions. Is a filtering list update, which is essentially just a list of websites, really something that needs to be limited by the "no remotely hosted code" policy?

So since all filter list updates now need to go through the Chrome Web Store, how long does a review take? Multiple sources on the web put it at anywhere from a few hours to three weeks, depending on the whims of Google's review system. Keep in mind these timelines are before Google will dramatically increase the workload of Chrome Web Store reviews by requiring absolutely all changes to go through the review process.

This is the best summary I could come up with:


YouTube can instantly switch up its ad delivery system, but once Manifest V3 becomes mandatory, that won't be true for extension developers.

If ad blocking is a cat-and-mouse game of updates and counter-updates, then Google will force the mouse to slow down.

The current platform, Manifest V2, has been around for over ten years and works just fine, but it's also quite powerful and allows extensions to have full filtering control over the traffic your web browser sees.

Engadget's Anthony Ha interviewed some developers in the filtering extension community, and they described a constant cat-and-mouse game with YouTube.

Firefox's Manifest V3 implementation doesn't come with the filtering limitations, and parent company Mozilla promises that users can "rest assured that in spite of these changes to Chrome’s new extensions architecture, Firefox’s implementation of Manifest V3 ensures users can access the most effective privacy tools available like uBlock Origin and other content-blocking and privacy-preserving extensions."

Google claims that Manifest V3 will improve browser "privacy, security, and performance," but every comment we can find from groups that aren't giant ad companies disputes this description.


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I need a list of better browsers to use. Anyone can help?

Firefox

I remember seeing a list saying Firefox was spyware too and to use brave fox instead? I have to do my research a bit when I’m back home

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Thanks :) what about on mobile? I’m using safari

I don't like Brave, but it's probably the best option on iOS. Browsers on iOS suck in general though, on Android we have awesome options like Mull

The list was wrong. Of all the highly compatible well tested well supported browsers out there Firefox is definitely at the top of the list for being honest and safe.

I use brave because I like its features, but The CEO is kind of an ass and they're as likely to spy on you and sell your data as Google or Microsoft is.

It was posted here yeah I don’t know if you remember it

No, Firefox is basically the opposite of spyware. They do so much more than other browsers to protect your privacy.

I noticed chrome actually slowed down my entire pc even if it wasnt on, updater constantly read or wrote something according to procmon. after I deleted chrome i actually noticed the difference. this was also before this whole adblock war properly started.

Stupid question: does this just affect chrome or chromium too?

Chromium also utilizes the chrome web store, so I'd assume yes.