Google has removed two Chrome browser extensions, 'Add to Feedly' and 'Tweet This Page', from its Chrome Web Store after the extensions were turned into spam-spewing programs by its new owners.
Google has several policies for letting third-party extensions into its Chrome Web Store. But it is difficult to keep tabs on all the existing extensions and to see that they are following the rules for newer updates. Some programmers take advantage of this to push their ads, even if it means violating Google's terms of service. But the Mountain View, California based Internet company is not shy of taking extreme steps when it spots developers flouting the norms. Google has removed two extensions from its Chrome Web Store after new owners of "Add to Feedly" and "Tweet this Page" inserted adware codes.
Both extensions did not have a solid fan-base, with less than 100,000 users each. The extensions were brought into the spotlight for their malicious activity. The original authors of the extensions reportedly sold "Add to Feedly" and "Tweet this Page" to unknown individuals, who turned them into spam-spewing programs. A new code was inserted into the extensions that bombarded advertisements into any sites users visited. This plunged the five stars rating to one star on Chrome Web Store,, the extensions were removed after the WSJ brought it to Google's notice.
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In several cases, owners of Chrome extensions have reported that they were offered monitory compensation to include ads into their programs without informing users or Google about the changes. Some advertisers purchase the extensions and update them with necessary changes to post ads on websites or monitor users' browsing habits, similar to what happened to "Add to Feedly" and Tweet This Page."
