Is uBlock Origin Lite safe?
uBlock Origin Lite is open source under the GNU GPL v3 and made by Raymond Hill, who created uBlock Origin. It runs on Chrome's Manifest V3. Its privacy policy says it "does not collect any data of any kind", with no analytics or telemetry. It asks for access to all sites, but you can reduce that.
uBlock Origin Lite safety at a glance
| Item | uBlock Origin Lite |
|---|---|
| Made by | Raymond Hill (gorhill) |
| Open source | Yes, GNU GPL v3 |
| Manifest V3 | Yes, built on the Manifest V3 API. Needs Chrome 122 or later. |
| Latest version | 2026.926.2202, 26 September 2026 (official GitHub releases) |
| Account needed | No. "uBO Lite has no home server." |
| Site access | All sites by default. It still works with less. |
| Data collected | None, per its privacy policy |
| Price | Free |
Who makes uBlock Origin Lite?
uBlock Origin Lite is made by Raymond Hill, known on GitHub as gorhill, who also created uBlock Origin. He is named as the author in the extension's manifest. The code lives in the uBlockOrigin/uBOL-home repository on GitHub. There is no company behind it and no account system: in the developer's words, "uBO Lite has no home server."
Is uBlock Origin Lite open source?
Yes. The full source code is public on GitHub in the uBlockOrigin/uBOL-home repository, under the GNU General Public License version 3 (GPL v3). Anyone can read it, check what it does and build it themselves. The developer also publishes a written reason for every permission the extension asks for, which is rare.
Is uBlock Origin Lite the same as uBlock Origin?
No. uBlock Origin Lite is a separate Manifest V3 extension by the same developer. uBlock Origin is a Manifest V2 extension and was removed from the Chrome Web Store on 31 August 2026. The developer says uBlock Origin Lite is "too different from uBO to be an automatic replacement." Our Manifest V3 guide explains the differences.
What is the latest version of uBlock Origin Lite?
The latest release on its official GitHub page is 2026.926.2202, dated 26 September 2026. The version number is the release date. The Chrome Web Store can lag a few days behind GitHub. Its built-in filter lists update when the extension updates, so frequent releases also mean fresher blocking rules.
What data does uBlock Origin Lite collect?
None, according to its privacy policy. The policy says it "does not collect any data of any kind", with no analytics and no telemetry. It only contacts a remote server if you explicitly subscribe to a filter list hosted elsewhere. It needs no account, so it never asks for your name or email.
The exact wording, from the uBlock Origin Lite privacy policy (last edited 5 September 2026):
"uBlock Origin Lite (uBO Lite) does not collect any data of any kind."
The policy adds that it "never makes network request to any remote server, except: If you explicitly subscribed to filter lists hosted on remote servers".
What permissions does uBlock Origin Lite need, and why?
It asks for access to all sites, plus permissions to tell Chrome which requests to block, hide ad boxes on pages, change the mode for the current site, save settings and run custom filter lists. The developer publishes a reason for each one. The table quotes or summarises those reasons.
| Permission | What it lets the extension do | Developer's stated reason |
|---|---|---|
Access to all sites (<all_urls>) | Work on every website you open | Needed to filter everywhere. "The extension can still be used with reduced host permissions if the user chooses so." |
declarativeNetRequest | Give Chrome a list of rules. Chrome does the blocking itself. | "To declaratively tell the browser which network requests to block, not block, redirect, or … modify." |
scripting | Add packaged styles and scripts to pages | Cosmetic filtering beyond "what the DNR API alone can provide" |
activeTab | Act on the tab you are using | "To change the filtering mode for the current website" |
storage, unlimitedStorage | Save data on your device | Saves settings and your compiled custom filter lists |
alarms | Run timed tasks | "low-priority housekeeping tasks" |
offscreen | Run a hidden helper page | Reads and compiles your own filters or subscribed lists |
userScripts | Run user-added rules | Lets you add custom filters or subscribe to remote filter lists |
Source: the developer's justification for the declared permissions.
Has uBlock Origin Lite had security problems?
We found no security incident and no change of owner for uBlock Origin Lite in our check on 29 September 2026. It is still made by the same developer who created uBlock Origin. Its code, permission reasons and privacy policy are all public on GitHub, so changes are visible to anyone who looks.
How can I check uBlock Origin Lite myself?
Open the official Chrome Web Store listing and check that the developer matches Raymond Hill. 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. That list should match the table above, with nothing extra.
A few more checks:
- Look at the "Updated" date on the listing. It should be recent.
- Reduce its site access if you prefer. The developer says it still works with less.
- Read the permission reasons and privacy policy on GitHub. Both are short.
Good to know
uBlock Origin Lite does less than the old uBlock Origin. Its developer says it is "less effective at dealing with websites using anti-content blocker", and some features, such as per-site switches, aren't offered. Hiding generic page elements needs its Complete filtering mode. If a site still shows ads, try a stronger mode for that site.
Read more
uBlock Origin Lite 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 its developer. We don't show ratings or user counts because we can't verify them.