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Google To Block Local Chrome Extensions On Windows Starting In January

Posted by timothy on from the ratcheting-down dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Google today announced it will block local Chrome extensions starting in January, but only on the Windows platform. This means that next year, Windows users will only be able to install extensions for the company's browser from the Chrome Web Store. The changes will affect both Chrome's stable and beta channels on Windows. Google says it will continue to support local extension installs on its Dev and Canary channels, as well as installs via Enterprise policy. Chrome apps are not affected at all and will continue to be supported normally."

8 of 260 comments (clear)

  1. LastPass by jupiterssj4 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I know that LastPass has a web app, but the local app has for more options. Hope they get this updated before January!

  2. Or, of course extensions that google doesn't like. by queazocotal · · Score: 5, Insightful

    For example, YouTube downloaders-

  3. I stopped using Chrome by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I stopped using Chrome because it's extensions were not up to par with Firefox addons.
    And now I feel less inclined to use Chrome at all.

    1. Re:I stopped using Chrome by ebno-10db · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I stopped using Chrome because it's extensions were not up to par with Firefox addons.
      And now I feel less inclined to use Chrome at all.

      Ditto. What does Google hope to accomplish with this? Switching to Firefox takes less than 5 minutes.

  4. Re:Or, of course extensions that google doesn't li by i+kan+reed · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Adblock, maybe?

  5. Non-issue by YodaDaCoda · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I suspect that this is less about blocking YouTube downloaders, and more about blocking those extensions that appear after not un-checking the box on programs downloaded and installed from the internet. I.e. it's more for the protection of grandma who wants to download a pretty solitaire app than it is for stopping little Johnny downloading his music videos of Miley. If you're smart enough to follow a few simple instructions and install a local extension, you're smart enough to follow a few simple instructions and install the Dev channel of Chrome first.

  6. Re:Or, of course extensions that google doesn't li by Sir_Sri · · Score: 4, Insightful

    mediahint, Hola, anything that lets you free VPN into services that you aren't really supposed to be able to access.

  7. Re:Walled Garden: One brick at a time.... by nurb432 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Don't forget moving nearly all their stuff to the new 'Google play framework'... and all the internal hooks it brings with it, just to read mail or send a message..

    Google has run off the track.

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----