Google Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser, plans to limit the use of ad-blocking extensions for everyday users. It will be limiting the feature webRequest API for all users except for enterprise customers, according to a report by PCMag on May 30.
This move by Google is expected to irk existing users, and could potentially boost the popularity of the crypto-back Brave browser which has ad-blocking capacities built in to the browser rather than just an extension.
Google’s Ad-Blocker Extension Presents Security Concerns
Google’s move to limit the use of the ad-blocker extension can largely be attributed to the extension posing risks to the company’s revenues from ads.
However, Google’s official story is that the removal of the ad-blocking extension is being done in an effort to limit security concerns. Chrome’s ad blocker uses a feature called the webRequest API, which enables the modifying of data on the browser and can enable hacking by untrusted third parties.
As stated by PCMag, this poses security concerns:
“Indeed, the API is powerful; it can let an extension modify data on the browser, which can open the door for hacking and privacy risks. Last year, cybercriminals took over one such Chrome extension to steal passwords from affected users.”
Will Users Switch to Brave?
As Google restricts widely used features such as ad blocking, more and more users are expected to switch over to more innovative browsers like Brave, which has ad blocking built into the browser itself and is privacy-oriented, unlike Chrome.
Explaining the increasing limitations of Chrome, Electronic Frontier Foundation’s technology project manager Andrés Arrieta said in a statement:
“Google is creating a future where innovation in Chrome will be hampered and user privacy and autonomy will be weakened. Independent extension developers will have only a very narrow set of tools. To innovate outside of that narrow set, extension developers will have to contact the Chrome development team and beg them to allow it.”
In the coming days, Brave will likely see an increase in adoption, as they are quickly becoming the new up-and-coming web browser that fosters innovation and has a business model driven by its users, rather than revenue.
Will you continue to use Google Chrome when they limit the use of ad blocking? Let us know in the comment section below.
