Is Adblock Plus safe?
Adblock Plus is a real ad blocker from eyeo GmbH, and its code is public under the GNU GPL v3. It runs on Chrome's Manifest V3. It needs access to every site to block ads, and it includes code that can send usage data. Install it from the official listing, then check two settings: data collection and Acceptable Ads.
Adblock Plus safety at a glance
| Item | Adblock Plus |
|---|---|
| Made by | eyeo GmbH |
| Open source | Yes, GNU GPL v3 |
| Manifest V3 | Yes, since version 4.0 (30 April 2024) |
| Latest version | 4.44.1, 22 September 2026 (eyeo's release notes) |
| Account needed | No, for the free ad blocker |
| Site access | All sites |
| Data it can send | Error reports, usage counts and event logs, controlled by one data-collection setting |
| Price | Free. An optional paid Adblock Plus Premium exists. |
Who makes Adblock Plus?
Adblock Plus is made by eyeo GmbH. The company names itself as the author in the extension's own manifest file, which is public. eyeo also maintains AdBlock, a separate ad blocker, in the same public code repository. When you install, check that the Chrome Web Store listing names eyeo as the developer, so you know you have the real one.
Is Adblock Plus open source?
Yes. eyeo publishes the code for Adblock Plus, and for AdBlock, in one public repository on GitLab. The license is the GNU General Public License version 3 (GPL v3). That means anyone can read the code, check what it does and build it themselves. Public code isn't a promise of safety, but it lets others look.
Is Adblock Plus a Manifest V3 extension?
Yes. The Chrome build uses Manifest V3, Chrome's current extension platform, and needs Chrome 127 or later. Version 4.0, released on 30 April 2024, was the first Adblock Plus built on Manifest V3. eyeo had started the groundwork earlier, in version 3.15 on 23 November 2022. Our Manifest V3 guide explains what changed.
What is the latest version of Adblock Plus?
The latest release in eyeo's public release notes is 4.44.1, dated 22 September 2026. The Chrome Web Store can lag a few days behind the repository, so the store may still show an earlier number. Regular releases matter for an ad blocker, because filter rules and Chrome itself keep changing.
What data does Adblock Plus collect?
The extension's code includes error reporting (Sentry), user counting and event logging, telemetry and in-product messages. eyeo's notes for store reviewers say one data-collection setting controls all of them. We couldn't read eyeo's privacy policy directly, so we don't quote it here. After you install, check the settings for data collection.
eyeo's privacy policy is at adblockplus.org/privacy, with a privacy FAQ at adblockplus.org/faq-privacy. Read both if data use matters to you. The free ad blocker needs no account, so it doesn't ask for your name or email.
What permissions does Adblock Plus need, and why?
Adblock Plus asks for access to all sites, because an ad can load on any page. It also asks to block network requests, add styles to pages to hide ad boxes, see your tabs, and save its filter lists on your device. The table lists each permission with eyeo's own stated reason.
| Permission | What it lets the extension do | eyeo's stated reason |
|---|---|---|
Access to all sites (<all_urls>) | Work on every website you open | "Blocking ads from any URL on any website." |
declarativeNetRequestWithHostAccess | Give Chrome a list of rules for which requests to block. Chrome does the blocking itself. | "Blocking network requests that are related to ads" |
webRequest (watch only in Manifest V3) | See which network requests pages make | "Preventing requests from being sent that are loading ads… Observing requests for diagnostics" |
scripting | Add styles or scripts to pages, to hide ad boxes | "Injecting (user) style-sheets into pages…" |
tabs | See tab addresses and titles | Grouped by eyeo with scripting (above) |
webNavigation | Know when you move between pages and frames | "Observing the frame structure… and discovering ad popups" |
storage, unlimitedStorage | Save settings and large filter lists on your device | "Storing thousands of rules necessary for blocking ads" |
contextMenus | Add an item to the right-click menu | "quick access to blocking specific elements" |
notifications | Show desktop notifications | "Drawing users' attention to messages…" |
alarms | Run timed tasks, such as filter updates | "periodically perform recurring tasks" |
Optional: contentSettings, management | Asked for only when needed | "requested when submitting issue reports" |
eyeo's reasons come from the store-listing file in its public repository.
Has Adblock Plus had security problems?
We found no change of owner: eyeo still makes it. We are still checking its security-advisory history against the original records, so we don't list any incidents here yet. eyeo's public release notes list every version and its changes. We'll update this answer when our check is done.
How can I check Adblock Plus myself?
Open the official Chrome Web Store listing and check three things. The developer should be eyeo. The "Privacy practices" tab shows what the developer tells Google about data use. When you click "Add to Chrome", the install prompt lists the access it wants, which should match the table above.
After you install:
- Check the settings for data collection. Turn it off if you don't want usage data sent.
- Check the settings for Acceptable Ads. Look here if you want every ad blocked.
- Check the "Updated" date on the store listing. A recent date means it is still maintained.
Good to know
Adblock Plus needs access to the pages you visit so it can find and hide ads. eyeo's help centre says it can technically see things like forms on that tab, and that it does not track browsing history or record what you type. Install one ad blocker, not several. If you want an ad blocker whose developer states it collects no data at all, see Is uBlock Origin Lite safe?
Read more
Adblock Plus is a third-party extension, not built or maintained by Xplorekit. We link to the official Chrome Web Store listing. Installing it, and what data it handles, is between you and eyeo. We don't show ratings or user counts because we can't verify them.