Source: The Verge
Microsoft is completing the industry's transition away from Manifest V2 extensions, the technical standard that powered uBlock Origin and other privacy tools, by forcing users to either upgrade to neutered versions or abandon ad blocking entirely. When Microsoft follows Google's lead, independent developers lose leverage to maintain tools that browsers themselves depend on for competitive differentiation. Browsers are now openly aligning on technical standards that either capture users in ad networks or require them to switch platforms entirely, rather than competing on privacy protection.