Adblocking - should it be banned?

[accountantpete]

Adblock user here - mainly to get away from irritating type adverts.

Adblock does allow some approved (non-irritating) adverts though which I can live with - but if Companies start buying this approval I might change my tune and software.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Static ads on a sidebar are unobtrusive and can be useful - I click on them if they have something of interest. But scrolling ads that cover the text or pop up over it are both irritating and counter productive, it puts me off ever doing business with the advertiser.

 

[ufkacbln]

Almost as annoying as the requirement to sign in via Farcebook or Google

 

[Markymark]

The market will decide, not legislation. If ad blocking kills revenue and deters content the internet will adapt to find a market driven balance.

 

[Pale Rider]

The culture secretary likened the use of 'whitelisting' to a protection racket.

A bit of hyperbole, but you can understand the notion of companies having to pay the adblocker to allow their ad is holding the company to ransom.

Nor did the culture secretary call for a ban on adblockers. calling instead for a consensus solution.

I've no problem with abusing politicians when it's merited, but on this occasion the politician seems to have a good handle on the topic.

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/mar/02/adblocking-protection-racket-john-whittingdale

https://adblockplus.org/acceptable-ads

 

[Tin Pot]

Part of the article on the BBC iPlayer announcements by the Culture Secetary also mentioned the used of Adblockers

THe concept is that by blocking the ads you are depriving the sites from income and you are part of a "protection racket" if you use them



Personally I do not want these adverts, and as with any unsolicited simply ignore. What is more I object to the fact that as they are using my data allowance, I am actually paying for these unwanted ads



What do people think?

Advertising is the Root of All Evil.

 

[Fnaar]

Culture Sec is a moron who should look up the word "Protection Racket" in a dictionary.

While he's at it, he should look up "secretary" too. I bet he never sits cross-legged on the edge of the desk, his sleek, firm thigh emphasised by the tightness of his pinstriped dark grey skirt, his shapely calves smooth under the sheer denier, his heaving bosom caged by his crisp white blouse, unbuttoned far enough to show a hint of his lace-trimmed pink brassiere, coquettishly biting his pencil, undoing his ponytail and shaking out his perfectly-conditioned auburn hair, and peering longingly over his glasses with a "come hither" look!

 

[ufkacbln]

While he's at it, he should look up "secretary" too. I bet he never sits cross-legged on the edge of the desk, his sleek, firm thigh emphasised by the tightness of his pinstriped dark grey skirt, his shapely calves smooth under the sheer denier, his heaving bosom caged by his crisp white blouse, unbuttoned far enough to show a hint of his lace-trimmed pink brassiere, coquettishly biting his pencil, undoing his ponytail and shaking out his perfectly-conditioned auburn hair, and peering longingly over his glasses with a "come hither" look!

Ms Goodbody?

 

[growingvegetables]

From a member of the government plastering local bus shelters and bill boards with adverts singing the praises of the "New National Living Wage" (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...ing-standards-boost-to-over-a-million-workers). With a website - https://www.livingwage.gov.uk/.

Funny how they "forgot" to advertise similarly the Bedroom Tax, the reduction/abolition of Working Tax Credit, the shocking cuts to disability benefits and carers' allowances, etc etc etc etc.

 

[jhawk]

Living in Canada, I've noticed that the UK likes to ban stuff.

Islamist hate preachers and the like, I understand. Although I'm a freedom of speech absolutist, up to the point of incitement of violence. Still, I get why you wouldn't want those kinds of people in the country.

But banning something as seemingly random as Adblockers is fairly ridiculous. As Phil says, just as important as any other virus protection.

 

[swee'pea99]

But banning something as seemingly random as Adblockers

There's nothing random about adblockers. Business doesn't like them. People do, but people don't matter. The government likes Business.

 

[jhawk]

There's nothing random about adblockers. Business doesn't like them. People do, but people don't matter. The government likes Business.

That's true, I suppose.

 

[srw]

But banning something as seemingly random as Adblockers is fairly ridiculous. As Phil says, just as important as any other virus protection.

It's the first response of a populist conservative politician to something he doesn't like - reach for the ban.

 

[Drago]

My computer, if i want to block ads I will.

 

[Milkfloat]

I am slightly torn here. I understand that sites need to advertise to survive and would tolerate them if they were not too intrusive. However, because some sites are so intrusive I block them all by default on most of my devices. This makes me feel guilty for blocking them on reasonable sites.

However, I very rarely click through on adverts anyway as I generally look for vouchers / quidco beforehand.