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You can install the AdNauseam browser extension - it's a fork of uBlock Origin that can automatically click links for you. The idea is that you click on every

You can install the AdNauseam browser extension - it's a fork of uBlock Origin that can automatically click links for you. The idea is that you click on every single ad link while you browse the web, and completely muck up all of the data that trackers have on you. https://adnauseam.io/ https://adnauseam.io/

metalliqaz 7y ago
I really don't understand how that tool is useful. So AdBlock blocks an ad, then this tool sweeps in and undoes any privacy benefit you get from not loading the tracker, AND wastes your bandwidth at the same time. Edit: Yes, I understand that it is annoying for the ad networks to have to register lots of wasted clicks, but that doesn't benefit me at all. It just makes my own browsing slower. I figure at least 20% of the people browsing the web would have to use the extension for it to make any difference to the ad networks, and it's probably higher than 20%. That's never going to happen.
- rdtsc 7y ago
  You don't see the ads, so you are blocking them and dilute the value of ads to begin with. Yes, it does waste your bandwidth. > I figure at least 20% of the people browsing the web would have to use the extension for it to make any difference to the ad networks, and it's probably higher than 20%. That's never going to happen. They have tried though: https://adnauseam.io/free-adnauseam.html https://adnauseam.io/free-adnauseam.html So it means, they are worried about at least enough to bother. Now, looking at my stats I just don't see as many clicks as before. So perhaps, Google just fixed their backend code to detect these clicks and moved on without triggering the Streisand Effect by fighting against this project publicly further.
- xgulfie 7y ago
  AdNauseum is the an act of protest and a tool at once. Yes it compromises on privacy compared to just plain adblock. But if it hides all ads anyway, does it matter if nobody is making money off of you? The noise that the ad-clicking introduces must mess with your ad interest profile at least a little.
- nabnob 7y ago
  This paper by the creators of AdNauseum explains their approach and philosophy - http://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1873/IWPE17_paper_23.pdf http://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1873/IWPE17_paper_23.pdf Individual people opting out of tracking doesn't meaningfully attack the ad tracking infrastructure, and will always be limited to a small percentage of technically proficient users who care about privacy. A collective approach feeds bad data into their infrastructure, making their data less meaningful for ad tracking and also helping protect the privacy of everyone.
- labawi 7y ago
  I'd put it at >20% data to be an issue, not 20% users. If generated data was realistic enough (way more than it currently is), even 1% of users should be more than enough to generate say 50% garbage clicks and data.
asdff 7y ago
Uhh, the ad network heads don't give a shit if you actually buy the product, they only give a shit that you've clicked and tbey can therefore command a higher price for the ad space. This sounds like it helps advertisers more than it hurts them.

metalliqaz 7y ago

I really don't understand how that tool is useful. So AdBlock blocks an ad, then this tool sweeps in and undoes any privacy benefit you get from not loading the tracker, AND wastes your bandwidth at the same time. Edit: Yes, I understand that it is annoying for the ad networks to have to register lots of wasted clicks, but that doesn't benefit me at all. It just makes my own browsing slower. I figure at least 20% of the people browsing the web would have to use the extension for it to make any difference to the ad networks, and it's probably higher than 20%. That's never going to happen.

rdtsc 7y ago
You don't see the ads, so you are blocking them and dilute the value of ads to begin with. Yes, it does waste your bandwidth. > I figure at least 20% of the people browsing the web would have to use the extension for it to make any difference to the ad networks, and it's probably higher than 20%. That's never going to happen. They have tried though: https://adnauseam.io/free-adnauseam.html https://adnauseam.io/free-adnauseam.html So it means, they are worried about at least enough to bother. Now, looking at my stats I just don't see as many clicks as before. So perhaps, Google just fixed their backend code to detect these clicks and moved on without triggering the Streisand Effect by fighting against this project publicly further.
xgulfie 7y ago
AdNauseum is the an act of protest and a tool at once. Yes it compromises on privacy compared to just plain adblock. But if it hides all ads anyway, does it matter if nobody is making money off of you? The noise that the ad-clicking introduces must mess with your ad interest profile at least a little.
nabnob 7y ago
This paper by the creators of AdNauseum explains their approach and philosophy - http://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1873/IWPE17_paper_23.pdf http://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1873/IWPE17_paper_23.pdf Individual people opting out of tracking doesn't meaningfully attack the ad tracking infrastructure, and will always be limited to a small percentage of technically proficient users who care about privacy. A collective approach feeds bad data into their infrastructure, making their data less meaningful for ad tracking and also helping protect the privacy of everyone.
labawi 7y ago
I'd put it at >20% data to be an issue, not 20% users. If generated data was realistic enough (way more than it currently is), even 1% of users should be more than enough to generate say 50% garbage clicks and data.

asdff 7y ago

Uhh, the ad network heads don't give a shit if you actually buy the product, they only give a shit that you've clicked and tbey can therefore command a higher price for the ad space. This sounds like it helps advertisers more than it hurts them.