Firefox is now the last major browser that still supports uBlock Origin
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Manifest V2 Deprecation in Chromium:
- Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome are phasing out support for Manifest V2 extensions in favor of Manifest V3.
- Under Manifest V3, ad-blocking extensions lose key webRequest filtering APIs required to dynamically inspect and block ads efficiently.
- Chromium-based alternatives are forced to use stripped-down versions like uBlock Origin Lite or rely on built-in native blockers.
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Firefox's Position as the Sole Major Alternative:
- Mozilla reaffirmed via Bluesky that Firefox will continue supporting full Manifest V2 features and uBlock Origin indefinitely.
- Because Safari and DuckDuckGo do not support full uBlock Origin and other browsers rely on Chromium (Edge, Opera, Brave, Vivaldi), Firefox remains the only major non-compromised browser for full uBlock Origin support.
Hacker News Discussion
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Extension Vetting and Security Trust:
- Users emphasize that Firefox actively reviews and verifies uBlock Origin updates under its "Recommended Extensions" program, mitigating risks of malicious code injections.
- Discussion surrounds permission models and whether browsers should introduce more granular, per-site, or container-specific permission toggles.
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Native Ad-Blocking vs. Browser Compatibility:
- Commenters debate why Mozilla does not build full ad-blocking natively into Firefox; key reasons cited include revenue ties with search providers and the risk of websites breaking and explicitly blocking Gecko.
- Chromium forks like Brave were discussed as alternatives due to built-in ad-blocking, though users noted differing levels of effectiveness and the inherent risk of the underlying Chromium engine monopoly.
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User Migration and the Web Monopoly:
- Many participants report switching back to Firefox full-time due to the deprecation of Manifest V2 on Chrome/Edge.
- There is widespread concern regarding the Chromium monoculture and the hope for independent browser engines like Ladybird.
