I see this message when I visit Language Reactor’s page on Chrome Web Store: "This extension may soon no longer be supported because it doesn’t follow best practices for Chrome extensions.
Learn more"
When I click “Learn more”, it directs me to some generic corporate bullshit.
Can anyone tell me why is LR being kicked out of Chrome Web Store? This app is being actively develop, so I don’t think they’re using the older Manifest Version 2. Is it that they don’t want people to upgrade their YT experience?
Also, I’m transitioning to Chromium (away from Google Chrome) because a lot of apps are being discontinued by Google Chrome Web Store.
Kind of sad that Google is being monopolistic and banning a lot of apps… Basically they are moving to manifest v3 for the sake of “privacy and security” but essentially they don’t want apps like AdBlock, etc. so they’re moving to manifest v3…
It seems like Language Reactor is facing potential removal from the Chrome Web Store due to not following current best practices for Chrome extensions. This could relate to various factors such as security standards or compliance with updated rope guidelines set by Google. Transitioning to Chromium might be prompted by concerns over app`s being discontinued on Google Chrome’s platform.
Hi. We’ve been fixing some old issues on the extension before doing the webstore update with manifest v3 format. The code is undergoing final testing and will be uploaded in the next few hours. The extension is still available here on the Webstore for both Chrome Stable and Beta. It’s possible they are removing access in some regions first. Anyway, the v3 extension will be available shortly, no worries.
It sounds like the message you’re seeing regarding Language Reactor (LR) on the Chrome Web Store is related to Google’s push for all extensions to comply with Manifest Version 3 (MV3), which represents a major update to the way Chrome extensions work. Google has been phasing out support for the older Manifest Version 2 (MV2), and extensions that haven’t fully migrated to MV3 may face removal or reduced functionality.
Here’s a breakdown of what might be happening:
Manifest Version Transition: Google is pushing all extension developers to move from MV2 to MV3. Manifest V3 is designed to improve privacy, security, and performance. Some extensions, especially those dealing with more advanced or custom functionalities (like Language Reactor modifying the YouTube interface), may struggle with the transition because MV3 imposes stricter limits on how extensions can interact with pages, background scripts, and network requests.
Non-compliance with Best Practices: If Language Reactor hasn’t yet fully updated its code or architecture to comply with the new MV3 standards, or if it uses practices Google flags as potentially harmful (e.g., modifying the YouTube experience too aggressively), this could trigger the warning you saw. This might explain why LR is being marked for possible removal, even though it’s still actively developed.
YouTube Experience Customization: Google generally dislikes extensions that heavily modify YouTube’s user experience because they want to control the platform’s functionality and advertising revenue. Language Reactor enhances the YouTube experience by adding custom language features, which might be seen as “bypassing” some intended functionality.
Corporate Motivations: It’s possible that Google’s motivations are not purely technical but also economic. Extensions that significantly alter user experiences on Google services (like YouTube) could be seen as interfering with Google’s control of their ecosystem. Extensions like LR might not fit neatly into their business model.
Transitioning to Chromium:
Your decision to move away from Google Chrome to Chromium might help you avoid some of these issues. Since Chromium is an open-source version of Chrome without the same strict policies on extensions, Language Reactor may continue to work as expected there, even if Google eventually removes it from the Chrome Web Store.
You could also explore Firefox or other browsers that allow more flexibility in handling extensions without forcing compliance with Google’s web ecosystem.
What to Do:
Check LR Developer Updates: Keep an eye on any updates from the developers of Language Reactor. They might release an update soon to comply with MV3 and avoid being removed from the store.
Alternative Extension Sources: If Language Reactor gets removed from the Chrome Web Store, you might still be able to install it from alternative sources (like the extension’s official website or GitHub) and sideload it manually, especially on Chromium or other browsers that support such installations.
Contact the Developers: You could also try reaching out to the developers of LR to ask about their plans for updating the extension.
In summary, the likely cause is related to Google’s enforcement of Manifest Version 3, but there may be additional factors involving how LR modifies platforms like YouTube.
On that note, @Mark_Jhon I agree switching to firefox might be a good idea, but the extension still doesn’t seem to be out yet. So, do we have any idea when the firefox version is actually coming out? It seems like its been in a state of “coming soon” for like 4 years now.
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