Google is moving Chrome toward a new extension framework, and that change is set to reshape how many ad blockers work on the browser. With Chrome 150 and 151 expected to complete the transition to Manifest V3, older extensions built on Manifest V2, including popular tools such as uBlock Origin, may no longer function as before.
What is changing in Chrome?
The rollout has been underway for years, with Google positioning Manifest V3 as a more secure model for browser extensions. In practice, it also limits access to the Web Request API, a key feature that many ad blockers use to filter content and block unwanted traffic. As a result, some extensions have already relied on temporary workarounds to stay active.
Chrome 150 is expected at the end of June, followed by Chrome 151 in July. Once those updates arrive, users may notice that certain ad blocking extensions stop working or lose part of their filtering power.
What are the options for users?
Several extension makers have released Manifest V3 versions of their tools, including uBlock Origin Lite, Adblock, Adblock Plus, AdGuard, and Ghostery. For users who want a different browsing experience, browsers such as Firefox offer broader extension support, while Brave includes a built-in ad blocker and privacy-focused features.
The shift also highlights a broader digital balance: stronger platform security, evolving privacy tools, and new choices for users who want more control over their online experience. In the future, browser competition may accelerate smarter, more transparent ways to manage ads and privacy.
