Security News > 2021 > March > Google removes privacy-focused ClearURLs Chrome extension

Google has mysteriously removed the popular browser extension ClearURLs from the Chrome Web Store.

ClearURLs is a web browser add-on available for both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox tasked with removing tracking bits from the URLs.

In a mysterious move by Google last night, users saw ClearURLs disappearing from the Chrome Web Store with its page throwing a 404 error message.

"ClearURLs has made it to its mission to prevent tracking via URLs and that's how Google makes money. I think that ClearURLs now has so many users that it is unwelcome for Google and they would like to see the addon disappear permanently," said Kevin Roebert, the developer behind ClearURLs.

The developer appealed to Google against the blocking of the extension and heard from Google.

In a copy of the email shared by the developer, Google claims that the description of the extension is "Too detailed" and in violation of Chrome Web Store rules.

News URL

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-removes-privacy-focused-clearurls-chrome-extension/