- cross-posted to:
- google@lemdro.id
- firefox@fedia.io
- hackernews@lemmy.smeargle.fans
Google’s campaign against ad blockers across its services just got more aggressive. According to a report by PC World, the company has made some alterations to its extension support on Google Chrome.
Google Chrome recently changed its extension support from the Manifest V2 framework to the new Manifest V3 framework. The browser policy changes will impact one of the most popular adblockers (arguably), uBlock Origin.
The transition to the Manifest V3 framework means extensions like uBlock Origin can’t use remotely hosted code. According to Google, it “presents security risks by allowing unreviewed code to be executed in extensions.” The new policy changes will only allow an extension to execute JavaScript as part of its package.
Over 30 million Google Chrome users use uBlock Origin, but the tool will be automatically disabled soon via an update. Google will let users enable the feature via the settings for a limited period before it’s completely scrapped. From this point, users will be forced to switch to another browser or choose another ad blocker.
- feoh ( @feoh@lemmy.ml ) 63•1 month ago
Friends don’t let friends run Chrome.
- LoamImprovement ( @LoamImprovement@beehaw.org ) 19•1 month ago
Switched to Firefox in 2023 and it’s wild how much shit just works now.
- feoh ( @feoh@lemmy.ml ) 2•29 days ago
Totally agree. Many people who keep using Chrome have a VERY outdated view of what Firefox can do. That’s a shame, but it’s unfortunately an aspect of human nature that negative impressions are SUPER hard to change.
- BearOfaTime ( @BearOfaTime@lemm.ee ) 10•1 month ago
Couldn’t have said it better.
- foremanguy ( @foremanguy92_@lemmy.ml ) 52•1 month ago
Not only intrusive ads, intrusive trackers too
- The Cuuuuube ( @Cube6392@beehaw.org ) English5•1 month ago
Using the internet without an adblocker is genuinely dangerous. Everyone really should be using uBlock Origin. Using a web browser that prevents uBlock Origin puts you in danger
- foremanguy ( @foremanguy92_@lemmy.ml ) 1•1 month ago
For sure
- zod000 ( @zod000@lemmy.ml ) 34•1 month ago
Screw you Google. Enjoy your antitrust.
- Possibly linux ( @possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip ) English10•1 month ago
- TaintPuncher ( @TaintPuncher@lemmy.ml ) 31•1 month ago
It’s not perfect but PiHole will still catch a lot of the ads if you have the know-how to set one up. Tis a relatively cheap and easy solution that has the benefit of being able to block ads network-wide, providing your router lets you set a custom DNS.
- bdonvr ( @bdonvr@thelemmy.club ) 17•1 month ago
Even if my Internet provider forced me to use their router I’d plug my own router in behind that one fuck that.
- elfpie ( @elfpie@beehaw.org ) 2•1 month ago
My provider, small one from my town, or the attendant just decided to give me the password. After months, I found out how to extract the configurations and used my old router instead.
- Petter1 ( @Petter1@lemm.ee ) 1•1 month ago
- variants ( @variants@possumpat.io ) English14•1 month ago
Even cheaper to just stop using chrome
- Possibly linux ( @possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip ) English8•1 month ago
Don’t use Chrome. It has plenty of issues including backdoors by Google.
- superglue ( @superglue@lemmy.dbzer0.com ) English2•1 month ago
Its worth noting however this can cause weird problems since its system wide and even network wide if you set it up that way.
As an example, my wifes Spotify podcasts didn’t work for months only for us to discover pihole was blocking the cdn Spotify uses.
- Daxtron2 ( @Daxtron2@startrek.website ) 29•1 month ago
Its a good thing I’ve been using Firefox for almost 2 decades then.
- Ranger ( @Ranger@lemmy.blahaj.zone ) 28•1 month ago
Stop using chrome and move to Firefox, also stop using Windows and more to Linux.
- ActionHank ( @ActionHank@sopuli.xyz ) 9•1 month ago
Or the Mullvad browser, Mullvad’s fork of FF with zero adds with help from the Tor project.
- Wave ( @JameUwU@lemmy.ml ) English2•1 month ago
Librewolf is also good if you prefer flatpaks
- Mixel ( @Mixel@szmer.info ) 8•1 month ago
Firefox is now owned by ads company. By default there are enabled telemetrics and moreover companies starts to ignore compability of their web services with browser which market share is lower than 2% even goverments stops considering that browser. Mozzila instead of optimization of their browser spend time introduceing features like AI. I was trying to like that browser but mozzila effectively does not allow me. Now btw. I use just vivaldi. I know this is not fully open source.
- LeLachs ( @LeLachs@lemmy.ml ) 5•1 month ago
Which “ads company”? No offense, just curious.
- Matthew ( @Matthew@midwest.social ) English8•1 month ago
Says Mozilla owns the ad company. Not sure where it says the ad company owns mozilla
- psud ( @psud@aussie.zone ) 2•1 month ago
Were Firefox to go bad, we would use a non-bad fork off Firefox. It’s open source.
- Mixel ( @Mixel@szmer.info ) 2•1 month ago
They are not independent. It all soft fork. Everything depends on firefox. If firefox die all the forks will die with too.
- Nora ( @crazyminner@lemmy.ml ) 27•1 month ago
And thus, this day will be remembered as the great browser migration.
- Melllvar ( @charonn0@startrek.website ) English11•1 month ago
Bust this trust.
- Mikina ( @Mikina@programming.dev ) 8•1 month ago
I’m not sure what Mullvad is based on - i think it’s on Tor, which is Firefox based?
I do use mostly LibreWolf, but if FF also went to shit, I wonder if Tor, and thus Mullvad, would keep on going or not. Because I suppose LibreWolf would have troubles with keeping up, if Mozilla would enshitify FF, since they would probably have to fork and continue development on their own.
- NaibofTabr ( @NaibofTabr@infosec.pub ) English16•1 month ago
Browser engines are ridiculously complex, nearly on the level of operating systems. All of the Firefox forks are really just different UIs built around Gecko/Quantum - those other projects aren’t really maintaining their own engines, they’re dependent on Mozilla’s work to remain stable, secure and relevant.
- Mikina ( @Mikina@programming.dev ) 7•1 month ago
Yeah, I know and that’s what I’m afraid of. I guess I’ll just have to come to terms with most websites not working in some obscure web browser that’s not feature-complete. Would actually help with my addiction, so it won’t be so bad, I guess.
- CrypticCoffee ( @CrypticCoffee@lemmy.ml ) 1•1 month ago
Firefox works for nearly everything. The only stuff that doesn’t work for me is Xitter embeds, and this is a gift that keeps on giving.
- tetris11 ( @tetris11@lemmy.ml ) 8•1 month ago
mullvad browser is based on FF
- jsomae ( @jsomae@lemmy.ml ) 8•1 month ago
This is the perfect time to go aggressive on telling your friends to switch to Firefox
- XTL ( @XTL@sopuli.xyz ) 6•1 month ago
Google pulls the plug on uBlock Origin
No they don’t. And can’t. It’s not their product.
Headlines these days. Are they all complete lies?
- blusterydayve26 ( @blusterydayve26@midwest.social ) English14•1 month ago
I’ll assume you’re being intentionally obtuse because no one could actually be that dumb.
- Zicoxy3 ( @Zicoxy3@lemmy.ml ) 6•1 month ago
the big companies, technological or not, always do the same thing… they launch a good product, very cheap (or free). When they already have a big market, they start cutting back. In the case of food, they raise prices, cut products, slightly change the taste… In the case of technology, they raise prices, cut the product, eliminate features…
That a company like Google, dedicated to data, has its own browser and pays to include it as standard in cell phones, it is clear that it is not going to stand still when an addon for its browser blocks part of its business…In this case, very few will switch browsers. That means changing habits. Already did with Google Photos… . Tiene miles de millones de fotos y vídeos de menores, de fiestas, íntimas… Ofrece espacio gratuíto y después, le pagas por ello, porque tienes tu vida ahí… Or with Google Maps. It’s a great service, but it knows where you go, what for, your schedules… a brutal security problem…or with email… it reads everything. Because otherwise it will add you to the calendar when you take a flight without having opened the confirmation email…
I’ve never stopped using Firefox. Google pays it too, but it’s the only one that’s independent. And then there’s Waterfox, Librewolf, PaleMoon… Run away from Google… there are alternatives.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
- unemployedclaquer ( @unemployedclaquer@sopuli.xyz ) English6•1 month ago
Netscape Navigator is clearly superior to Internet Explorer. except that Andreessen guy became a Facebook bro. Shame nothing came of that. Oh well, guess I’ll use Firefox.
- istanbullu ( @istanbullu@lemmy.ml ) 5•1 month ago
Are chromium derivatives like Brave affected?
- TheNickOfTime ( @TheNickOfTime@fedia.io ) 14•1 month ago
Sadly yes. Almost all, if not all derivates are affected since they inherit the codebase from it. Unless they implement manual Manifest v2 patches + have their own extension store they manage
- sparky@lemmy.federate.cc ( @sparky@lemmy.federate.cc ) 4•1 month ago
So that basically means that Firefox and Safari are the only two unaffected, since it seems like everything else is Chromium these days. Yikes.
- dev_null ( @dev_null@lemmy.ml ) 3•1 month ago
Vivaldi said they will keep V2 support. Not forever, but as long as they are able.
- CrypticCoffee ( @CrypticCoffee@lemmy.ml ) 1•1 month ago
So for a little bit until people stop caring.
Firefox is the correct play here.
- dev_null ( @dev_null@lemmy.ml ) 3•1 month ago
I’m not saying what’s “the correct play” or not, I’m refuting the claim all Chromium-based browsers are immediately affected, because I know of at least one that will keep V2 support.
But I will keep using Vivaldi. It will take me the same time to migrate to Firefox regardless if I do it today or a year from now when Vivaldi drops V2 support. I have nothing to gain by migrating sooner, but potentially much to gain by waiting.
- Vivaldi might decide to keep support indefinitely,
- Vivaldi might decide to update the built-in ad blocker to use UBlock Origin tech,
- Google might backtrack the decision (hah!),
- a whole different browser I want to try might come out in the meantime and I’d have to migrate twice,
- Firefox might die after losing Google funding due to the monopoly ruling.
- I will build a new PC in a year and it will be a good time for a software refresh,
- Or, the most likely, none of this will happen, and I will migrate to Firefox then, if that’s the best move at the time.
- TheNickOfTime ( @TheNickOfTime@fedia.io ) 1•1 month ago
Not for everyone. For me it’s unusable since I rely on stuff ff never implemented (using bluetooth from a web page to configure some of my home appliances, grab api keys for them, stuff like that). Also I’m not too thrilled that it laks any kind of official PWA or Chromecast support. Not to mention they still have some ugly bugs when rendering some gradients.
And besides this, I used to love everything Mozilla did, but at one point I grew to hate how they left ff to stagnate which made me switch.
I still reconsider it from time to time, but I always get disappointed by how little things have changed and how much even more things seem to be missing/buggy since the last time.
- XTL ( @XTL@sopuli.xyz ) 5•1 month ago
Brave is a series scam company.
- Dudewitbow ( @Dudewitbow@lemmy.zip ) 4•1 month ago
all chromium browsers are affected, so if a chromium browser wants to support manifest v2, they have to manually maintain it separately from the main chromium build. whether individual companies will do so ofc is tbd. braves built in browser probably not affe ted
- Mikina ( @Mikina@programming.dev ) 4•1 month ago
If it keeps going on like this, it won’t be long before I’ll just say fuck it and switch to elinks…
Hmm, on that note - is there any CLI web browser that can do javascript and css? Because iirc, elinks doesn’t, though I havent used it in years.
- unemployedclaquer ( @unemployedclaquer@sopuli.xyz ) English5•1 month ago
Lynx ftw! Not sure if that’s been maintained since the 90s though.
- dunz ( @dunz@feddit.nu ) 3•1 month ago
You can’t improve on perfection!
- tetris11 ( @tetris11@lemmy.ml ) 4•1 month ago
browsh does, but uses FF as backend renderer
- TheNickOfTime ( @TheNickOfTime@fedia.io ) 3•1 month ago
it won’t be long before I’ll just say fuck it and switch to elinks…
Holy mother of BASED
- toastal ( @toastal@lemmy.ml ) 1•1 month ago
Elinks for can do basic CSS & JS. I wish there were better support for like 256 or 16 color modes for CSS to better support TUIs. The reading UX is generally pretty good, but stuff like syntax highlighting really helps. …That is if website makers did their job correctly & treated JavaScript as an enhancement. The bigger issue is even in the case of limited JS support like Netsurf, most developers aren’t going to be writing ES3 or ES5-compatible code which is about all most of these systems can support which means the JS will be broken anyhow without keeping their engines up to date.
- trevor ( @trevor@lemmy.blahaj.zone ) English1•1 month ago
https://github.com/fathyb/carbonyl
This is more usable than browsh, in my experience, but has the very unfortunate downside of being based on Chromium (🤢)