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IMHO, by choosing to provide their content as an HTML data stream via HTTP to the user, "Der SPIEGEL" implicitly allows to consume this content in whichever way
by ThePhysicist 10y ago
IMHO, by choosing to provide their content as an HTML data stream via HTTP to the user, "Der SPIEGEL" implicitly allows to consume this content in whichever way the user sees fit, as HTML is simply a markup language that can be interpreted in various ways, and could even be read in a text editor.
By trying to force the user to consume this data through a specific channel (e.g. through a standard-compliant browser with no ad-blocking abilities), they implicitly try to deny him/her the right to use the content in accordance with the HTTP specification.
Per se there's nothing wrong with forcing people to consume information/media through a specific technological channel (some people might disagree here of course), and companies like Netflix and Amazon have been doing this for many years already.
The difference here is that "Der SPIEGEL" explicitly chose to use an open medium, the world-wide-web, and an open protocol (HTTP) to disseminate their content, probably with the intent to reach as many people as possible. Unfortunately (for them), both of these technologies are built on the premise that the information can be consumed in whichever way the user sees fit, using his/her own software of choice, be that a desktop browser like Chrome, a terminal browser like Lynx, or even just a text editor.
If they really want to force people to consume their content in a specific way, they should simply ask users to enter an agreement with them, which could state that the user needs to consume the content in its entirety (advertisements included). That they don't do this is probably due to the fear of losing market share, as probably many users would not be willing to enter into such an agreement.
- alkonaut 10y agoA logical step if a news outlet wants to show news+ads is to just offer their paper as PDF on the site. No click bait headlines, no Facebook trackers - just a newspaper, with ads. The catch? The ads in the PDF are images without scripts and tracking. Good. Does the income from such ads not generate enough income? Then GET OFF THE INTERNET or just close down the newspaper and take a long holiday. But don't tell me how to consume a http response please.
- criddell 10y ago> The catch? The ads in the PDF are images without scripts and tracking. PDFs support scripting. Wouldn't that suffice?
- majewsky 10y agoBut you can use a PDF reader that does not support (and thus ignores) scripts. [1] Of course, the publisher could build the script such that it displays the article text only after the ad has been displayed, and we get the next arms race of adblockers and adblocker-blockers. [1] Fun fact: Okular has an "Honor DRM restrictions" checkbox in its settings dialog that you can actually uncheck.
- TeMPOraL 10y agoPeople would quickly upgrade PDF to support "rich media" and tracking and shitton of new design fads. But that's ok. Basically, dear newspapers, please invent your own DRM-enabled protocol and enforce your business models all you like. Just leave HTTP alone.
- curun1r 10y agoI agree with everything that you've said and I find it a compelling reason why a user is within his or her rights to install ABP. But where it gets murkier is ABP's pay-for-whitelisting business model. I can see reasonable arguments that this equates to extortion and shouldn't be allowed. As others have mentioned, extensions like uBlock Origin are better in this regard, which is better for both users and advertisers.
- a3n 10y ago> IMHO, by choosing to provide their content as an HTML data stream via HTTP to the user, "Der SPIEGEL" implicitly allows to consume this content in whichever way the user sees fit, as HTML is simply a markup language that can be interpreted in various ways, and could even be read in a text editor. Wouldn't forcing to consume ads discriminate against people who use text-based browsers, and visually impaired people who use readers for that condition?
- YCode 10y agoThe current solution of detecting ad-blockers and either blocking your content or requesting users disable their ad-blocker seems sensible. The latter especially works for me because I'm generally willing to disable my ad blocker for the domain and see what their ads are like. If their ads are reasonable I'll leave it off.
- waterphone 10y agoI don't find it sensible, because that requires exposing myself to tracking scripts. Tracking scripts are unacceptable to me under any context.
- YCode 10y agoThen you don't have to view the page. It's not as if you're required to view news articles from a specific outlet.