Browser Extension/Userscript Policy

ceebee · #1 Nov. 30, 2017 14:05:55

Hi everyone,

We want to announce today that we’re shifting our policy related to browser extensions , userscripts, userstyles, and other similar external software. We’ve decided that, for safety reasons, we are no longer going to allow these to be advertised on Scratch.

Browser-based extensions and userscripts can be risky because they can get access to everything you do online. This means that they could potentially get information about the websites you visit, collect private information about you, and change what you see in ways you don’t expect. In the past, we have allowed these to be advertised on Scratch because they can also be fun, safe, and helpful tools – and because we’ve seen that Scratchers can learn a lot by making them. But we feel the risks and potential harm outweigh these benefits.

Because of this, we will now be removing comments, projects, forum posts, user profile information, or other content that reference any browser extension or userscript. In general, we encourage you to use these tools only if they were created by people or organizations you trust.

Thanks,
Scratch Team

- - - - - - -

Frequently Asked Questions:

When does this go into effect?
Right away.

Will I get in trouble for things I’ve already shared about a browser extension/userscript?
No. We will begin the process of removing content that has already been shared on Scratch. This will not count against you, so no need to worry about that

Going forward, we ask that you do not share or advertise browser extensions/userscripts as it could lead to moderations actions against your account.

What if I’ve already downloaded a browser extension?
You should look through your browser extensions and delete any that weren’t created by people or organizations you trust. You might even want to reread their privacy policies to make sure you’re okay with everything the extensions are doing.

Does this mean I have to delete browser extensions I am already using?
No. It is your choice what extensions you want to install and use. The new policy is that you can no longer advertise extensions on Scratch.

Can I still use Scratch-related browser extensions and userscripts?
Yes, you can use those tools for your own use - but do not advertise them on Scratch.

Should I report content referencing a browser extension/userscript?
Yes.

What about Scratch extensions?
Those are a different thing! It’s totally cool to share Scratch extensions, like the ones found in the Scratch editor or on scratchx.org. We’re only talking about browser extensions (like Firefox and Chrome extensions).

Last edited by Paddle2See (May 8, 2020 09:14:32)

ZDUDE9 · #2 Nov. 30, 2017 15:00:00

Hold on a second… Does this mean I have to delete (removed by moderator - please don't name browser extensions) ?

Last edited by Paddle2See (Feb. 7, 2023 18:52:22)

World_Languages · #3 Nov. 30, 2017 15:09:06

ZDUDE9 wrote:
Hold on a second… Does this mean I have to delete (removed by moderator - please don't name browser extensions) ?

You don't, you just can't advertise it.

(~5 seconds before

)

Last edited by Paddle2See (Feb. 7, 2023 18:52:44)

NotAJumbleOfNumbers · #4 Nov. 30, 2017 15:09:14

ZDUDE9 wrote:
Hold on a second… Does this mean I have to delete (removed by moderator - please don't name browser extensions) ?

No, you only have to stop advertising it.

Last edited by Paddle2See (Feb. 7, 2023 18:52:59)

acduckii_rises · #5 Nov. 30, 2017 15:25:50

yep ok sure what about conversations we have in comment sections that we want to keep but in the conversation someone mentioned a browser extension once or twice. what now?

290Scratcher · #6 Nov. 30, 2017 15:39:18

I understand these changes.

It isn't like I even wanted the (removed by moderator - please don't name browser extensions) crown anyways

However , when I saw the admin message, I had two of them. And they were the same message. Why did the ST give me two messages?

Last edited by Paddle2See (March 20, 2023 22:47:57)

SuperFlower008 · #7 Nov. 30, 2017 15:47:13

It's ok!

I just have one question:

Can I delete the "" text that showed up where the extension link was?

– SuperFlower008

forever
if <[My first ever post] = [Yes]> then
say [Welcome!] for (2) secs
end
end

ceebee · #8 Nov. 30, 2017 15:53:47

290Scratcher wrote:
However , when I saw the admin message, I had two of them. And they were the same message. Why did the ST give me two messages?

Looks like that was done by error. No worries, the duplicate was removed

ceebee · #9 Nov. 30, 2017 15:54:49

SuperFlower008 wrote:
It's ok!I just have one question:

Can I delete the "" text that showed up where the extension link was?

Yep!

fingertipsgaming · #10 Nov. 30, 2017 16:17:20

i dont know about you but i dont like this change.

World_Languages · #11 Nov. 30, 2017 16:38:02

RosyStar wrote:
That's unfair. I have ** and ** and i might not be able to use them anymore(

You technically still can use it, you just can't advertise it

-OryumiCat- · #12 Nov. 30, 2017 16:53:29

Oh, okay! That's perfectly understandable. ^^ I mean, it surprised me, but I understand the reasoning.

RosyStar · #13 Nov. 30, 2017 17:13:25

World_Languages wrote:

RosyStar wrote:
That's unfair. I have ** and ** and i might not be able to use them anymore(
You technically still can use it, you just can't advertise it

oh ok

yzyzyz · #14 Nov. 30, 2017 17:19:33

World_Languages wrote:

yzyzyz wrote:
#Bring_Extensions_Back
Ahahahahahahahaha please no.

lol

290Scratcher · #15 Nov. 30, 2017 17:22:40

Uhh I think this topic should probably be closed because it's going to turn into this in about five seconds.

yzyzyz · #16 Nov. 30, 2017 17:23:07

290Scratcher wrote:

yzyzyz wrote:
#Bring_Extensions_Back
They can still be used, just not advertised.

World_Languages wrote:
Ahahahahahahahaha please no.
Exactly.

#bring_it_back was crazy enough. We don't need it again.

This was a joke.

yzyzyz · #17 Nov. 30, 2017 17:24:19

290Scratcher wrote:
Uhh I think this topic should probably be closed because it's going to turn into this in about five seconds.

I agree…
(60 second rule…)

290Scratcher · #18 Nov. 30, 2017 17:28:44

yzyzyz wrote:

290Scratcher wrote:
Uhh I think this topic should probably be closed because it's going to turn into this in about five seconds.
I agree…
(60 second rule…)

Ahem.

There's this thing called “editing your previous post so you can say that quicker”.
I had to think of a joke really quickly…

World_Languages · #19 Nov. 30, 2017 17:42:57

RosyStar wrote:
Oooooooooohhhhhh I thought you said we could't use them anymore, not that we couldn't advertise!

Oki it's fine then

(but ** was checked by the ST so surely it's alright to advertise that one)

Nope, it isn't

I don't know why that logic works

--Waterfall-- · #20 Nov. 30, 2017 17:43:58

So, no advertising but we can keep the extensions? What about scratchmoji? Will the emojis still work, or…

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