[drivebycomment]

I think MV3 critics are mostly based on a loss aversion bias, rather than a rational opposition.

If those people truly think it's absolutely essential for the extension system to have the pre-MV3 webrequest API, they should either stop using Safari, or ask Apple to support the same as loudly. But they don't. None of the critics I know does.

I think Google sees this as matching Apple for privacy and security - as there has been so many malicious extensions that caused significant harm. Everyone thinks they won't be affected by malware or bad extension, and they think it's personal responsibility but as is often the case, the best way to improve the security is to eliminate the attack vector whenever possible, instead of trying to control / safeguard it. Given the practical downside is virtually non-existent - I have been using uBlock Light since it came out, and there's been no noticable change in adblocking - I think MV3 made the right trade off, and I would be disappointed if Chrome team cave to the emotional and irrational critics.