Google updates Chrome policies to ban prediction market extensions
The tech giant is cutting off browser tools that facilitate real-money prediction market trading while simultaneously integrating market data into its own finance products.
Google has announced updates to the Chrome Web Store’s Developer Program Policies, introducing stricter rules on user data collection, transparency and prohibited products.
Effective Aug. 1, 2026, the changes explicitly ban extensions that facilitate real-money predictive markets, require all collected user data to be strictly necessary for an extension’s stated purpose and mandate prominent disclosure of all data collection and any subsequent changes to data handling practices.
The policy update also bars extensions that attempt to circumvent AI safety measures or platform restrictions. Google said the revisions are designed to improve user trust, increase transparency around data handling and ensure the Chrome extension ecosystem remains secure.