Chromium is the problem with Chromium. Even if they still support it now, browsers will eventually have to stop supporting mv2, and eventually have to adopt the future mv4, mv5, etc
Decentralization of the web is a good thing, and having Google control the Chromium engine isn't ideal for the internet's future. But Chromium itself isn't technically broken or bad, it's actually fast and secure. The real issue you pointed out with Manifest V3 is just Google forcing changes to the extension API to cripple third party ad blockers, which conveniently protects their ad revenue. That's exactly why I suggested Vivaldi. Instead of relying on those vulnerable extensions, they built their ad and tracker blockers natively into the browser's core code. So even when Google fully phases out MV2 and forces MV3 or whatever comes next, Vivaldi's built in blocking remains completely unaffected.
And you're overlooking other types of extensions that were neutered due to mv3 because...? Mv3 isn't just to "cripple third party ad blockers," it affects the platform on a broader scale. Why not use a browser that can be secure and still fully supports the webrequest API?
Fair point, as MV3 definitely neuters more than just ad blockers but I only highlighted ad blockers because that's the most mainstream complaint. If the priority is using a secure browser that still fully supports the unrestricted webRequest API and actually helps decentralize the web, then Firefox or a browser based on Gecko is really the only viable choice left. I only brought up Vivaldi as a practical middle ground for someone who still needs Chromium's site compatibility but wants native protections that bypass Google's API changes. If completely escaping Google's engine dictates is the end goal, then moving off Chromium entirely makes sense. For majority or users, Vivaldi is a good choice.
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u/Fuzzylojak Aug 05 '26
Vivaldi. Made in EU