# The article criticizes Google's moderation of malicious Chrome Web Store extensions

DevFeed: [The article criticizes Google's moderation of malicious Chrome Web Store extensions](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/chrome-web-store-is-a-mess-36623.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://palant.info/2025/01/13/chrome-web-store-is-a-mess/>)

Author: Wladimir Palant

Published: 2025-01-13T13:12:43Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Almost Secure](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/almost-secure.md>)

Topics: [Google Chrome](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/google-chrome.md>), [Browser Extension](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/browser-extension.md>), [Google](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/google.md>), [trust](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/trust.md>)

Tags: [extension](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/extension.md>), [google-chrome](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/google-chrome.md>), [reports](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/reports.md>), [transparency](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/transparency.md>), [trust](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/trust.md>)

## AI overview

This opinion article argues that Google's moderation of malicious and problematic Chrome Web Store extensions is ineffective and inconsistent. It describes automated moderation as inadequate, says legitimate add-on authors also face problems, and cites the author's experience reporting harmful extensions.

## Source excerpt

Let's make one thing clear first: I'm not singling out Google's handling of problematic and malicious browser extensions because it is worse than Microsoft's for example. No, Microsoft is probably even worse but I never bothered finding out. That's because Microsoft Edge doesn't matter, its market share is too small. Google Chrome on the other hand is used by around 90% of the users world-wide, and one would expect Google to take their responsibility to protect its users very seriously, right? After all, browser extensions are one selling point of Google Chrome, so certainly Google would make sure they are safe? Unfortunately, my experience reporting numerous malicious or otherwise problematic browser extensions speaks otherwise. Google appears to take the "least effort required" approach towards moderating Chrome Web Store. Their attempts to automate all things moderation do little to deter malicious actors, all while creating considerable issues for authors of legitimate add-ons. Even when reports reach Google's human moderation team, the actions taken are inconsistent, and Google generally shies away from taking decisive actions against established businesses. As a result, for a decade my recommendation for Chrome users has been to stay away from Chrome Web Store if possible. Whenever extensions are absolutely necessary, it should be known who is developing them, why, and how the development is being funded. Just installing some extension from Chrome Web Store, including those recommended by Google or "featured," is very likely to result in your browsing data being sold or worse. Google employees will certainly disagree with me. Sadly, much of it is organizational blindness. I am certain that you meant it well and that you did many innovative things to make it work. But looking at it from the outside, it's the result that matters. And for the end users the result is a huge (and rather dangerous) mess. Contents Some recent examples The reporting process Chrome Web