Mozilla is about to launch the future of browser extensions

Mozilla Firefox is adding some new extensions to its online store. It is planning to introduce support for Manifest v3-based web browser.

Manifest v3 [MV3] was originally suggested by Google in 2018. It is a software architecture revision. It is followed by the tech giant in form of an important shift in the extensions platform. Given Manifest v3 [MV3] Google promised that users will be provided with improved security, privacy, as well as performance. It will allow the users to use more modern open web technologies including the service workers as well as promises.

Now the question is when the users can access the updates.

From Monday, November 21 onwards the extensions will be available to the users. Developers could upload the Mv3 extensions for signing. Given the perspective that Microsoft started testing Manifest V3 to its Edge browser in October 2020, Mozilla appears to be late in the competition. But still not every user is a big devotee of Manifest V3.

Electronic Frontier Foundation is considered one of the most passionate advocates of online privacy. Concerning the updates, they reacted by saying that the changes to Manifest V3 won’t prevent malicious extensions. They added that it will harm innovation as well as real-world performance. Thus, reducing the extension capabilities.

Given the choice of Mozilla to use MV3 within Firefox is quite implausible. Since Google controls Chromium. Chromium is an open-source browser technology. It functions for both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Both, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge rule a large share of the browser market. Besides this Apple has authorized MV3 for its Safari browser on macOS and iOS.

However, one important thing to note over here is that the support for Manifest V2 for all Chromium-based browsers is going to end by June 2023 given Manifest V3 as its predecessor. Previously we have observed consumer harm by Mozilla. It has accused Apple, Google, and Microsoft of self-preferencing.