https://9to5google.com/2023/11/16/chrome-extensions-disabled/
The Chrome team has since added new features in response and is ready to disable old Manifest V2 extensions in 2024...
This is just Google trying to manage the backlash. They've opted for a slow death for adblockers instead of a fast one.
The end result will still be the same. In the name of security users will lose the ability to control how data is received and displayed within their browser. If you're not a moron who installs malicious extensions then it's a straight up downgrade for functionality.
In 2023, you have to be slightly slow in the brain to keep using Google. Unless you don't care about privacy, or ads, of course.
I'm curious to see how ungoogled-chromium will handle this change.
Related: https://github.com/ungoogled-software/ungoogled-chromium/issues/662