Google Chrome Web Store Updates Developer Policies, Bans Real Money Extensions for Prediction Markets
The Google Chrome Web Store has announced enhanced privacy protection, data transparency, and platform security, with the new policies taking effect on August 1.
The scope of prohibitions has been expanded, explicitly banning extensions that support real money transactions for prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi.
Data collection rules have been tightened, requiring developers to use data strictly for disclosure purposes and to inform users prominently; new restrictions have been added against extensions that circumvent AI safety protections.
Source: Public Information
ABAB AI Insight
Google has iterated its Chrome extension policies multiple times, such as strengthening Manifest V3 and the Privacy Sandbox from 2023 to 2025. This adjustment continues its transition from an open ecosystem to strict governance, responding to regulatory foresight regarding prediction markets and AI risks.
On the capital front, the tightening of policies guides developers' resources toward compliant tools. Google controls traffic and data through the web store, motivated by a desire to reduce legal risks and enhance platform valuation, strategically consolidating its dominance in the browser market.
Similar to Apple's ongoing restrictions on gambling and financial apps in the App Store, and the increased platform responsibilities under the EU DMA, Google is currently in a phase of establishing regulatory barriers in emerging fields (prediction markets, AI) as a tech giant.
This essentially represents a regulatory change: clarifying boundaries to prohibit real money predictions and AI circumvention, stemming from the expanded platform responsibilities and user protection needs, which shifts pricing power from third-party developers to centralized stores like Google and reshapes extension ecosystem rules.
ABAB News · Cognitive Law
Platform rules define legal boundaries; compliance is a prerequisite for survival.
Tighter privacy and security measures accelerate the reshuffling of small developers.
Prohibiting real money predictions and AI circumvention, tech giants are reconstructing innovation pathways through policy.