1618984 - Extension Block Request: Misleading or deceptive add-ons

Status: RESOLVED FIXED

(Toolkit :: Blocklist Policy Requests, task)

Description

[mattgaspar10]

Extension name	Misleading or deceptive add-ons
Extension versions affected	<all versions>
Platforms affected	<all platforms>
Block severity	hard

Reason

These add-ons violate No Surprises policy by setting default search with a new tab page offer and add-on. The install flows don't offer disclosure/opt-in and are deceptive.

hxxps://quickneasyrecipes.co/?adprovider=AppFocus1&source=d&device=c&creative=414379354251&adposition=none&placement=www.joyofbaking.com&target=&sl=&caid=9123939348&gw=1&test=://mail&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7KvN87H05wIVAh2HCh3QEQHsEAEYASAAEgK2NPD_BwE

hxxps://searchsmart.co/?adprovider=AppFocus1&source=d&device=c&creative=399788993037&keyword=&matchtype=&adposition=none&placement=wikihow.com&target=wikihow.com&caid=6479278013&gw=1&test=://mail&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgMPh5obz5wIVwAYGAB3m3gzGEAEYASAAEgKd1PD_BwE

hxxps://myvideoconverter.co/?adprovider=AppFocus1&source=d&device=c&creative=421253329882&keyword=&matchtype=&adposition=none&placement=wikihow.com&target=wikihow.com&gw=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3o6cmN3w5wIVk-DVCh004QCZEAEYASAAEgKM7vD_BwE

hxxps://templatecreator.co?adprovider=AppFocus1&source=d-ccc2&device=c&creative=411604869298&adposition=none&placement=wikihow.com&target=wikihow.com&sl=&caid=8884094123&gw=1&test=://mail&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7oT945fz5wIViaBRCh1DXQcMEAEYASAAEgLMlPD_BwE

Extension IDs

sp@MyRecipeFinder
sp@SearchesCentral
sp@FileConversionNow
sp@TemplatesHere

Comment 1

[mattgaspar10]

Attachment: quickneasyrecipes-landingpage.PNG

Comment 2

[mattgaspar10]

Attachment: quickneasyrecipes-defaultsearch.png

Comment 3

[mattgaspar10]

Attachment: quickneasyrecipes-defaultsearch-results.PNG

Comment 4

[Philipp Kewisch [:Fallen][📱📆]]

Hi Matt. I've tested the install pages you've provided but am not actually offered an install prompt for an add-on. Do you have an URL from which I can reproduce this in a private window?

Comment 5

[mattgaspar10]

Hi Philipp. For me, the URLs provided offer install prompts for add-ons in normal and private windows. I wonder the experience is different based on location.

Comment 6

[Philipp Kewisch [:Fallen][📱📆]]

I've reviewed the add-ons and confirm that they are violating our no surprises policy.

Full list:

test@WhatsMySpeed
ext@630e3b49-decc-4d5e-8a9e-242df04e8ba1
ext@6bbf8f72-c54d-4731-b455-e164685c5914
sp@FindingFormsPro
sp@EmailAccessHere
sp@WatchTelevision
sp@WatchTVOnline
sp@QuickEmailAccess
sp@QuickNEasyRecipes
sp@MyFlightFinder
sp@BreakingNewsPlus
sp@WeatherDiscover
sp@MyRecipeFinder
sp@AppDiscoveryTools
sp@FileConversionNow
sp@TemplatesHere
sp@SpeedCheckerPlus
sp@MapsNDirectionHub
sp@FormsHere
sp@ConvertPDFHub
sp@ProPDFConverters
sp@DLOfficeTools
sp@MapNDirectionHub
sp@GamerHubPro
sp@MyLoginHub
sp@LocalForecast
sp@GoGamesHub
sp@LiveRadioPro
sp@MyOnlineCoupons
sp@TrackYourPackages
sp@MapsProHub
sp@ShipmentTrackers
sp@ConvertPDFTo
sp@EmailProHub
sp@FreeConverterHub
sp@AccessFreeTemplates
sp@ViewOnlineRecipes
sp@MySweeps
sp@SatelliteandEarthMaps
sp@SatelliteandEarthMap
sp@PackageTrackingOnline
sp@DirectionsandMapsNow
sp@ClassifiedsListApp
sp@MyHoroscope
sp@meinemailzentrum
web@meinemailzentrum
[e-mail]
sp@MyVideoConverter
sp@EasyClassifieds
sp@WatchSportsHere

Comment 7

[Philipp Kewisch [:Fallen][📱📆]]

The block has been staged. Jorge, can you review and push?

Comment 8

[Jorge Villalobos [:jorgev] (he/him)]

Done.

Comment 9

[Philipp Kewisch [:Fallen][📱📆]]

The block is being changed to block the following add-ons only in the range 0 - 2.*

sp@FindingFormsPro
sp@WatchTVOnline
sp@QuickEmailAccess
sp@QuickNEasyRecipes
sp@MyFlightFinder
sp@BreakingNewsPlus
sp@WeatherDiscover
sp@MyRecipeFinder
sp@AppDiscoveryTools
sp@FileConversionNow
sp@TemplatesHere
sp@SpeedCheckerPlus
sp@MapsNDirectionHub
sp@FormsHere
sp@ConvertPDFHub
sp@ProPDFConverters
sp@DLOfficeTools
sp@MapNDirectionHub
sp@MyLoginHub
sp@LocalForecast
sp@GoGamesHub
sp@LiveRadioPro
sp@MyOnlineCoupons
sp@TrackYourPackages
sp@MapsProHub
sp@ShipmentTrackers
sp@ConvertPDFTo
sp@EmailProHub
sp@MySweeps
sp@MyHoroscope
sp@MyVideoConverter
sp@EasyClassifieds
sp@WatchSportsHere

Comment 10

[Philipp Kewisch [:Fallen][📱📆]]

The block has been staged. Stuart, can you review and push?