What is Manifest V3
Details Summery
Manifest V3 is the latest set of specifications for browser extensions, primarily for Google Chrome, but also being adopted by browsers like Microsoft Edge.
- Purpose: Manifest V3 is designed to enhance the security, privacy, and performance of browser extensions. A major shift is moving from long-running background scripts to service workers, which activate only when needed, reducing resource consumption.
- Security Enhancements: It requires all extension code to be included in the extension package, disallowing remotely hosted code, reducing the risk of malicious code being executed after an extension is reviewed.
- API Changes: Manifest V3 replaces the blocking webRequest API with the more limited declarativeNetRequest API, affecting how ad blockers and privacy tools can manage network requests.
- Controversy:
- Ad Blockers: Critics argue these changes weaken ad blockers and privacy extensions, leading to concerns that Google, which relies on ad revenue, might be using Manifest V3 to protect its advertising business.
- Developer Challenges: Developers face difficulties transitioning from V2 to V3 due to significant changes, insufficient documentation, and the need to re-engineer existing extensions.
- User Privacy and Control: While Google promotes Manifest V3 as improving user privacy, critics like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) see it as restrictive, especially for extensions focused on enhancing privacy or giving users more control.
- Cross-Browser Compatibility: Although initially led by Chrome, browsers like Firefox plan to support Manifest V3 for compatibility while maintaining support for some V2 features, offering a less restrictive approach to extension functionality.
- Current Sentiment: Online discussions reveal a mix of technical adjustments, skepticism about Google’s intentions, and concerns over the future of certain extensions. Some users and developers are shifting to browsers like Firefox or Brave, which may offer better support for privacy and content blocking.
