Google Chrome it is the default browser for millions of people. It occupies 65.7% of devices. Its main competitor apple safari, is 18.66%. Such is the influence of Chrome that other browsers use its engine. This is the case Microsoft Edge, Opera, Brave or Vivaldi, among others. Therefore, any change he undergoes Chromium affects millions of Internet users. Directly or indirectly. And if we talk about changes, then the most important thing that we will see in Chromium known by the name Manifest V3.
Announced in 2019, no final date yet embed manifest V3. At the end of September it was said that this date would be January 2024. But who knows if it will change. The important thing is that many criticized this change. And this is limited to a part of Google Chrome, which, in principle, should not be so important. But the reality is that it affects users and those who develop apps and extensions for google chrome. Or so they say. Google, on the other hand, sees the alarmism as unjustified.
Manifest V3 or Manifest Version 3is the name and version of the following Extension APIs from google chrome. The current version, Manifest V2, will go to a better life to make improvements to the question security, privacy and better performance from google chrome. This last aspect is one of the major criticisms that Google’s browser has made over the years. And, in part, the use and abuse of extensions has something to do with it.
Role of Manifest V3 in Google Chrome
As explained developer documentation pages from microsoft D Google“manifest file (manifesto in English) is the expansion plane. It includes information such as the version number of the extension, the name of the extension, and necessary permissions run it. migrating from manifest V2 to V3 This will result in several structural changes to how extensions are handled by the browser.
That is Manifest V3 will change what you have Google Chrome work with extensions, both own and especially third-party. And the key to the argument lies in restrictions that developers of security and privacy tools such as ad blockers (ad blockers in English) and companies VPN servers. To the point that these apps or extensions lose some of their most requested features.
We could make a comparison with application permissions on Android or iOS. Now we’re used to seeing warning messages telling us that the application you are about to install or open at the moment wants to use your location, camera, or wants to access your contacts. A few years ago this was not the case, so we were less aware and we had less control over our privacy and security.
The Importance of Extensions
Google Chrome extensions have become possible threat security. So changing the API would theoretically make us more secure against opaque extensions. But at the same time Chrome gives less freedom for creators extensions such as AdBlock, AdGuard, UBlock and dozens of VPN solutions available. Even organizations like Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Such is the difference of opinion between Google and developers that the final implementation date Manifest V3 was delayed between 2023 and 2024. Everything for the developers have time to implement changes to use the Chrome API in future updates. With its advantages and disadvantages for the authors of extensions and for the users themselves. Anyway, Google introduced Manifest V3 for the first time in Google Chrome in its 88 Beta release in December 2020. And for now both APIs will coexist, the API Manifest V2 and V3.
V3 manifest improvements according to Google
At first glance, Manifest V3 is indeed big change for google chrome. A way to close or secure a possible entrance for those who want to get hold of our devices or our personal data. And it is that just as malicious mobile apps can access personal information, extensions can access browser content that will affect our privacy.
These major improvements What Manifest V3 brings with it:
- not allowed to run hosted code remotely.
- Replaces Background pages on Background service workers to improve performance.
- Remove API lock web requestprimarily to improve privacy and performance by reducing network requests on behalf of the user.
- Enter API (declarativeNetRequest) that limits these network requests.
- This allows select permissions give extensions.
Ultimately, Google decided that Manifest V3 would become part of Google Chrome in the future. Therefore, extension developers are forced to move from Manifest V2 to V3 as soon as possible. If it’s not, your extensions will stop working when V2 APIs are no longer available in future Chrome updates. And given that Chrome is updated at some intervals and almost automatically, Escape Manifest V3 it’s practically impossible.
This affects more than just Google Chrome
Importance Manifest V3 and its conflict with some extensions goes beyond Google Chrome. And this, as we saw at the beginning of this article, most used browser on most platforms and devices. But not only that. Some of its competitors have chosen to adopt its engine, which is why many web browsers are based on Chromium.
The most famous example is Microsoft Edge. The Microsoft browser that replaced Internet Explorer, abandoning attempts to compete with Google with its own engine, decided to integrate Chromium. The good thing is that it adds support for Chrome extensions. And it is for this reason that Microsoft will also implement Manifest V3 on Edge.
In its turn, Brave Opera or Vivaldi also uses Chromium, but they were designed as an alternative to Google Chrome, full of improvements and changes to be more respectful of user wishes. Initially, its purpose is keep supporting for Manifest V2 to avoid the limitations of Manifest V3. On the other hand, both Brave which Opera They have their own invasive ad blocking systems. D Opera integrates its own VPN.
will see how do they adapt future versions of your browsers when the API and Manifest V2 compatibility disappear. And we’ll also have to wait to see if these Google Chrome alternatives continue to offer support for installing extensions from the Chrome Web Store when Manifest V3 is the only option in Chromium.
Source: Hiper Textual
