Forum Discussion
Manifest V3: Web Request Changes
So, Google plan to introduce manifest v3 that limit extensions blocking capability by removing webRequest API and replacing it with super limited declarativeNetRequest.
Please, please don't remove/change/limit this API. If microsoft truly listen to it's user and many extensions developer complaining this changes.
I have good faith microsoft will listen, this is also good opportunity for microsoft, more user for their new chromium based browser.
Related discussions:
- https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=896897
- https://groups.google.com/a/chromium.org/forum/#!topic/chromium-extensions/veJy9uAwS00
- https://github.com/uBlockOrigin/uBlock-issues/issues/338
- https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20044430
- All reddit threads (to many can't list here).
39 Replies
PLEASE DON'T CHANGE INTO MANIFEST V3.
- Microsoft shouldn't let Google have a say in Edge browser or remotely affect the development of Edge browser.
Microsoft should take Manifest V3, use only its good features and remove/ignore the bad ones such as those and limit the ability of adblockers.
obviously Google is against adblockers because their business runs on ads, on YouTube, searches, all around the world wide web.
adblockers such as ublock origin are such a thorn in Google's eyes because they don't let any ads through.
so yeah Microsoft is stepping in the right direction with the introduction of Tracking Prevention feature, they shouldn't stop now and use the parts of Manifest V3 which won't let adblockers work as they should.
otherwise Brave would be a better browser.- but microsoft chose to switch to chromium. they gave control to google who is the main contributor to chromium. they chose the path of little development 😞
- They de-googled Chromium before integrating it into their Edge browser..
- Not an official response from Microsoft, but at least a personal opinion from a Microsoft employee working on the Edge team about this topic: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Discussions/Google-to-restrict-ad-blocking-in-Chromium/m-p/688997/highlight/true#M4955
Microsoft Edge Dev Team posted some details about this changes to manifest v3 and the new edge on reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/c094uf/hi_reddit_were_the_team_behind_microsoft_edge_and/er34xbw/
as its not a clear statement that they will support manifest v2, they definitely are going to support extensions with the strong ability for blocking ads.
i already switched from chrome to new edge chromium.
- It looks like they won't support manifest v2. They are a part of the Coalition for Better Ads (which includes Google and Facebook). In reply to:
"Are you maintaining a fork of Chromium in order to exclude the stupid changes like Google’s decision to cripple the webRequest API in order to stop people blocking ads?"
they said this:
"We have chosen not to fork since we don’t want to fragment the community, but our infrastructure does allow us to maintain patches for cases where we have a different point of view on individual changes (we talked about the webRequest/Manifest V3 changes in a couple other places. In general we plan to upstream our web platform improvements to the Chromium project. "
Without an adblocker, I have no reason to use Edge. I even left Bing as my search engine and disabled my adblocker for it. I just wish Firefox's performance were better and that Brave were less annoying. Edge has nice scrolling and move to new window. This makes me so mad but mostly sad.
zmni Thanks for posting this. This user is in complete agreement, and it's more than just adverts. If you run uBO in the "medium mode" with dynamic filtering, you prevent cross-site tracking. Other extensions, such a Privacy Badger, also prevent tracking, but they too depend on Manifest V2.
Manifest V2 is about tracking and privacy as much as ad-blocking. I hope that the new Microsoft Edge takes privacy seriously and allows users to stop tracking by the use of extensions that require Manifest V2.
- It's also about security and performance. (my comment was much longer before but I shortened it to this. I'm feeling really sad right now due to personal stuff)
Has MS released an official response to the ad blocking problems coming to Chromium? I haven't seen anything yet - did I miss it?
Any browser that cripples ad blocking extensions are dead to me. I'll stick with Safari on all my devices and Firefox when I need an alternative. It's a bummer because I was looking forward to giving Edge a try in macOS.
Out of curiousity, what do you think makes Chrome and the new Edge ugly? I don't have any ulteriror thoughts before you say anything.
UM. EXCUSE ME? adblock users aren't "power users". I hate that term. I for one am just a tech enthusiast. I'm not an "IT Pro" or a developer.
Why would they use Google Translate and Google Search? That would remove the whole purpose of the browser. I don't think they can use Google Translate like that anyway.
I feel like everyone is forgetting that Microsoft also has ads.
Its just ascetics and personal preference. For example I was never a fan of the odd shaped tabs in Chrome and when they redesigned them I was so bummed they did not go with straight lines like old Edge and Firefox. I don't think they stand out as much as they should and just create more screen clutter. Also in Chrome (and many parts of new Edge) everything is faded or dusty looking, in old edge blacks are darker, white pop more and lines are crisper. I think even text looks different, in chrome and new edge its all a little bit lighter and less pronounced. Again this is a ascetic preference but I really like the way old edge looks and feels.
Edge is still relatively young and under development. To criticize now is wrong. Other browsers took years and Edge is supposed to make it in 6 months, that's not possible.
From what i have read I don't think they would have to fork Chromium to stay on Manifest v2, Brave will be doing that and I don't think they forked chromium. I could be wrong, but the folks over at Thurrot.com seemed to say that Microsoft wont have to adapt to V3 if they don't want to. (paywall link) https://www.thurrott.com/paul/207692/ask-paul-may-31 zmni
Microsoft wouldn't be alone.
https://vivaldi.com/de/blog/chromium-ad-blockers-choice/
I hope to go and follow others.
- Interesting that this is one of a few threads that a Microsoft employee didn't write a single word about a requested feature...
zmni the new limited webrequest API would be a no-gamer for the new Edge for me. This is Microsofts chance to get users from Chrome to the new Edge.
Chrome Enterprise will support the current webrequest API with full features like Google announced.
Chromium Browsers like Brave already announced to continue to fully support the API: https://twitter.com/BrendanEich/status/1133767653472923648
zmni wrote:Please, please don't remove/change/limit this API. If microsoft truly listen to it's user and many extensions developer complaining this changes.
Edge team has already removed a number of useful Chromium features, including apps support. They claimed Google at some point intended to discontinue apps support. Despite Google said lately they will maintain such support.
So I think the chance is slim they would maintain the engine fork, it contradicts purpose of moving to Chromium. Equally important, may be MS expects a share of ads revenue in exchange for contributing to Chromium project? 😂
Announcements like this should be in line with web standards. Numerous webpage ads threaten internet usability. Browser developers don't own the web, they merely provide tools to access the web, and should not be allowed by the user community and web standards to make the web a superprofit place while neglecting user needs.
May be you right, but we are not accounting for Google & MS contract here. What is allowed to minor Cent browser, will not be permitted to Edge, since it may really threaten Google dominance. On the other hand, if MS keeps sticking to Bing as default New Tab search with no alternatives, and won't allow to use Google Translate service as a choice option, it may slow Edge adaptation by users.
