Blocksi’s Transition to Chrome Manifest Version 3 (MV3): Key Update for GAC Users

As part of our commitment to keeping up with evolving browser technologies, Blocksi is in the process of migrating its Chrome extension from Manifest Version 2 (MV2) to the new Manifest Version 3 (MV3), in line with Google’s latest requirements. This update aims to provide users with enhanced security, improved performance, and stronger privacy features, ensuring a seamless experience as Google phases out MV2.

While most users will see their MV2 extensions automatically disabled, enterprises using the Extension Manifest V2 policy can continue running MV2 extensions until June 2025. This policy gives businesses additional time to complete the transition, and browsers with this policy will remain unaffected by the deprecation until then.

Why Is Blocksi Migrating to MV3 as Well

As Google plans to deprecate MV2, Blocksi is migrating to MV3 to stay compliant with Chrome’s latest standards and to deliver a safer, faster, and more reliable experience for our users. This migration ensures that Blocksi continues to work smoothly and that you benefit from the enhanced security, privacy, and performance features that MV3 offers.

Why MV3 Migration Should Matter to You

The shift to MV3 is part of Google’s effort to create a more secure, efficient, and privacy-conscious browsing experience. Blocksi’s migration to MV3 ensures that we continue to provide uninterrupted service while taking advantage of these improvements.

Here are some of the key benefits of MV3:

• Enhanced Security: MV3 features a more secure extension architecture, limiting access to sensitive data and reducing the risk of malicious activity.

• Improved Performance: The updated background processes optimize resource management, leading to faster and more efficient performance.

• Better Privacy: MV3 introduces stricter privacy protocols that minimize data collection, providing users with a more privacy-focused experience.

Important Note for Google Admin Console (GAC) Users

For users running the Blocksi Extension, we recommend disabling any chrome://flags configurations within the Google Admin Console (GAC). These settings, while useful for testing purposes, may interfere with the current extension’s performance, causing unexpected issues. Disabling this setting will ensure smooth compatibility until the new MV3-based extension is released.

Here are the instructions on how to do that:

• Go to admin.google.com and sign in with your administrator credentials.
• From the Admin Console home page, go to Devices > Chrome > Settings > Users & browsers.
• Select the Organizational Unit (OU) for which you want to apply this restriction (e.g., all users, specific groups).
• Look for the URL Blocking setting. Add the following URL to the list: chrome://flags
• After adding the URL, save the changes, and the policy will be applied the next time users restart their browsers or refresh their policies.

Blocksi is dedicated to making this migration as smooth as possible for all our users, ensuring that you continue to enjoy enhanced security, performance, and privacy as we adapt to Google’s latest Chrome extension standards.