Here's what's happening to ad blockers in Google Chrome
Here's what's happening to ad blockers in Google Chrome
An explanation of Manifest V3, why it matters, and what uBlock Origin is doing about it.
You're viewing a single thread.
This article replaces the "Google is cracking down on ad blockers" mantra with "Google is consolidating control by restricting general purpose computing as the model of security".
Honestly, I'm not sure this is a better look. It's true that this is "more secure", in the sense that it limits the power afforded to malicious extensions, but it completely ignores the collateral damage. It strips the power individuals have to enact their own policies, instead having to go through Google to accomplish the same thing.
Honestly, this is just another step in the direction of WebDRM and centralized control. This is more erosion of what made the Internet great. It's just one more step of turning the Internet into a TV set.
Fuck. This. Shit. Give me back web 1.0.
it completely ignores the collateral damage
I don't think so. I try to not be overly "conspiratorially minded" but I'd 100% believe in a millisecond that the "collateral damage" is the point all along here. Google is pushing constantly for more control and this is just another item in the long-ass list. After massive pushback on Manifest 3, they "cancelled" it a while back and now they're right back pushing it again.
I'm honestly surprised that YouTube hasn't enforced DRM all these years. Is it that technically complex?
Yeah it is because they have to adhere to Web standards which are implemented by browsers and there are multiple browsers.
Herein lies the strategy of Google.
First you get a browser that has huge market dominance. Simultaneously you gain influence over competitors browsers. Simultaneously you get influence over the standards you have to adhere to in order to build a Web browser. Once you have all of that you slowly tighten the noose until only your browser exists and it is now the defacto "Internet app".
Once you own the entry point to the Web the www pretty much becomes yours.
It's monopoly and regulatory capture all at once.
Don't be fooled - Google will do everything they can to take control of the Internet and sure everyone is accessing it through their entry points, and they'll do it so slowly and subtly that no one notices. You think this is gonna be on CNN anytime soon? Nope.
But Netflix did it. Why can't they?
Yeah you're right I don't know what I was smoking when I wrote that.
YouTube does implement DRM for its subscription content apparently as well.