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I'm also an extension developer, and Google has done this to me a few times too. We request permissions specifically for what we need, and our extension is unli

I'm also an extension developer, and Google has done this to me a few times too. We request permissions specifically for what we need, and our extension is unlisted and can only be installed from our website. Google is a bully, and they use their size and the threat of permanently removing access to your Google Account (and family photos) to terrorize small players without cause. How many people would Google need to hire to provide email support for extension review for extensions above a certain size? It can't be a huge dent in their budget.

blihp 6y ago
Not going to happen. This is an issue people have been raising for at least the better part of a decade... don't expect anything to change now. A more productive approach would be to focus on web browsers that allow you to do what you need to and let Google fix what they need to encourage you back. I know, most extension developers will say 'we can't do that because it's where the users/customers/whoever are'. But as long as you encourage their bad behavior by supporting the platform, expect the bad behavior to continue since it's not hurting Google. As a result, it's just a cost of doing business on Google's platform which is unlike to change for the better.
- AlphaWeaver 6y ago
  Are you making a good faith suggestion that it's possible to build a business around a browser extension and not support Google Chrome? They have something like 70% market share dude...
  - qznc 6y ago
    I believe the suggestion is to incorporate this "bully risk" in your business plan. Some business models might not be profitable anymore if you do this. Others just need additional diversification or more risk capital.
  - hedora 6y ago
    Chrome’s market share would drop if extension authors moved to an alternative. As it is, it sounds like Google’s doing this itself by breaking popular extensions.
    - AlphaWeaver 6y ago
      I think you overestimate the percentage of Chrome users who use Chrome for the extensions rather than other reasons ("it's fast", "it's what I'm used to", "I like Google", "Firefox is weird")
    - csallen 6y ago
      There's no way that any of this is going to meaningfully affect Chrome's market share.
    - dgoldstein0 6y ago
      maybe what we're really seeing is an alternative - users don't care enough about the quality of the extensions ecosystem. Otherwise browsers should be racing to have the best extension ecosystem.
skuhn 6y ago
Not exactly to your point, but you raise an excellent reason to never ever use your "personal" account for business things. Google, Amazon, YouTube, it's all the same. It's all very convenient, until you lose access 10 years of e-mail because of a Chrome extension review.

blihp 6y ago

Not going to happen. This is an issue people have been raising for at least the better part of a decade... don't expect anything to change now. A more productive approach would be to focus on web browsers that allow you to do what you need to and let Google fix what they need to encourage you back. I know, most extension developers will say 'we can't do that because it's where the users/customers/whoever are'. But as long as you encourage their bad behavior by supporting the platform, expect the bad behavior to continue since it's not hurting Google. As a result, it's just a cost of doing business on Google's platform which is unlike to change for the better.

AlphaWeaver 6y ago
Are you making a good faith suggestion that it's possible to build a business around a browser extension and not support Google Chrome? They have something like 70% market share dude...
- qznc 6y ago
  I believe the suggestion is to incorporate this "bully risk" in your business plan. Some business models might not be profitable anymore if you do this. Others just need additional diversification or more risk capital.
- hedora 6y ago
  Chrome’s market share would drop if extension authors moved to an alternative. As it is, it sounds like Google’s doing this itself by breaking popular extensions.
  - AlphaWeaver 6y ago
    I think you overestimate the percentage of Chrome users who use Chrome for the extensions rather than other reasons ("it's fast", "it's what I'm used to", "I like Google", "Firefox is weird")
  - csallen 6y ago
    There's no way that any of this is going to meaningfully affect Chrome's market share.
  - dgoldstein0 6y ago
    maybe what we're really seeing is an alternative - users don't care enough about the quality of the extensions ecosystem. Otherwise browsers should be racing to have the best extension ecosystem.

skuhn 6y ago

Not exactly to your point, but you raise an excellent reason to never ever use your "personal" account for business things. Google, Amazon, YouTube, it's all the same. It's all very convenient, until you lose access 10 years of e-mail because of a Chrome extension review.