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Adblocking is a 'modern-day protection racket', says UK culture secretary

• mtgx 11y ago
  Maybe, but even if that's the case, it only applies to UK's own Three ISP, Adblock Plus, and the new Brave browser. So don't go after "adblocking". Go after those making deals with certain companies to allow ads, while blocking everyone else.
• bediger4000 11y ago
  So adertisers have an absolute right to execute code on my machine? That seems wrong.
• Grishnakh 11y ago
  The guy has a point: companies paying ad-blocking companies so you have to look at their ads, even with the "ad-blocker", reeks of protection rackets. The solution to all this is very, very simple: install uBlock Origin. It blocks ALL ads (that it's programmed for), and has no way for companies to bribe them to allow their ads through. So it can't be compared to a protection racket.
  • ryao 11y ago
    The same argument could be made about government taxes. People recognizing a need for a government (and those not being forced into it by others) enable the creation of governments that charge taxes to provide "protection" to the people. People recognizing the need to block advertisements created an environment where there is an opportunity for companies to pay adblock's developer to go on an acceptable ads list though. The only difference is that the advertising companies are not forced into it by law while those who do not recognize the need for government services are.