Chrome will notify you when an extension is removed from Store

While Firefox prepares to bring full-fledged extensions to mobile, Chrome is getting an extension update of its own. Starting with version 117, which is now available in the Beta channel, Google‘s web browser will proactively tell you when an extension disappears from the Chrome Web Store.

According to a post from Oliver Dunk, a developer relations engineer for Chrome extensions, this notice will show up for three specific cases: when the developer removes the extension from the Chrome Web Store, when Google takes down the extension for violating Chrome Web Store policy, and when an extension is marked as malware and removed from the Store.

Chrome will show this notification in the “Privacy and security” section of the settings page. The notice will contain a link that takes you to the extension in question. You have the choice to remove it or dismiss the notification and continue using the extension. That’s unless Google has marked an extension as malware. Chrome automatically disables such extensions for the safety and security of users. It has worked this way for a long time now.

If an extension is reinstated after being removed briefly, Chrome will automatically take down the notification. Dunk also stated that Chrome won’t show any such notification for extensions that may have potentially violated Web Store policies and Google has notified the developer about the same, giving them time to review the issue. The notification may appear if the developer doesn’t address the issue within this stipulated time or appeal to Google.

“We have designed this change to keep the ecosystem safe for users while limiting the chances that this will impact genuine extensions,” Dunk said. The Google engineer encourages users to share feedback on this change. You can share your thoughts via the Chromium Extensions forum.

Firefox for Android will soon add full-fledged extensions

While Google’s latest extension update may come in handy sometimes, Mozilla has a much bigger update for Firefox in the pipeline. It’s preparing to bring full-fledged desktop extensions to its Android browser. The update will arrive later this year, with the company sharing more information in September.

Note that Firefox for Android already supports extensions. However, the collection isn’t as big as the desktop version. Google Chrome, on the other hand, doesn’t support extensions on mobile. It remains to be seen if Mozilla’s move spurs Google into action and brings extensions to Chrome for Android.