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Ask HN: Does anybody not use an adblocker?

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Re: Ask HN: Does anybody not use an adblocker?

#21

Post by fullspectrumdev »

xhkkffbf wrote: post #14

Why? Because I believe they're wrong. I think it's just wrong to engage with any business and disable, sidestep or circumvent their way to make money. It's like shoplifting. It reminds of people who open up a box at the supermarket, eat the food, and then claim that the barcode was on the box so that must be what's for sale. I want the Internet to have ad supported content. I want the people who create this content t…

The freeloaders and thieves who ruined the trust work in adtech.

They could have simply not abused their position.

Re: Ask HN: Does anybody not use an adblocker?

#23

Post by w0m »

HeyLaughingBoy wrote: post #13

Never used an adblocker. Advertising doesn't bother me in principle, only if it gets irritating (like those excruciatingly annoying BK commercials!). If advertising gets to be too annoying, well that's what the back button is for.

'But they're monetizing you!' 'And I give a crap why?'

I Admire this approach to life. I probably fall in the middle somewhere.

Re: Ask HN: Does anybody not use an adblocker?

#24

Post by w0m »

garciasn wrote: post #18
HeyLaughingBoy wrote: post #13

Never used an adblocker. Advertising doesn't bother me in principle, only if it gets irritating (like those excruciatingly annoying BK commercials!). If advertising gets to be too annoying, well that's what the back button is for.

I work in digital media and I utterly and entirely recommend EVERYONE use ad/analytics/tracking blockers and browsers which limit user-level data collection and tracking. As someone who works in the field and actively builds end-arounds to systems that thwart our ability to easily track your behaviors online, it's in your best interest to do so. Sure, you don't have to do any of this, but seeing any particular ad is…

> seeing any particular ad is the least of your problems

I run a blocker. But for a general user not hitting shadier corners of the web and careful what they click on - What are the larger problems people discuss, and how are they relevant in the day-to-day?

Re: Ask HN: Does anybody not use an adblocker?

#25

Post by illwrks »

syncbehind wrote: post #16
illwrks wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you outline how you're doing system-wide as blocking? That's news to me!

Unless rooted, you're basically relegated to two options. 1. You can set your dns to a custom dns (adguard's dns is commonly used) to block ads systemwide. 2. You can use a vpn proxy style adblocker via Blockada, Adaway, or Adguard. If you're rooted, you can just modify your hosts file manually or use something like adaway to do it for you.

Ah yes, they are likely running at rooted device. I didn't even think of that.

Thank you!

Re: Ask HN: Does anybody not use an adblocker?

#26

Post by garciasn »

w0m wrote: post #24
garciasn wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I work in digital media and I utterly and entirely recommend EVERYONE use ad/analytics/tracking blockers and browsers which limit user-level data collection and tracking. As someone who works in the field and actively builds end-arounds to systems that thwart our ability to easily track your behaviors online, it's in your best interest to do so. Sure, you don't have to do any of this, but seeing any particular ad is…

> seeing any particular ad is the least of your problems I run a blocker. But for a general user not hitting shadier corners of the web and careful what they click on - What are the larger problems people discuss, and how are they relevant in the day-to-day?

If you're located in a non-GDPR (or in a lesser sense CCPA) legislation area, YOU are being tracked cross-site and profiles are being built on your data to better target and sell your behavior for the pleasure of using the Interwebs.

Do EVERYTHING in your power to avoid that.

Re: Ask HN: Does anybody not use an adblocker?

#27

Post by fragmede »

garciasn wrote: post #18
HeyLaughingBoy wrote: post #13

Never used an adblocker. Advertising doesn't bother me in principle, only if it gets irritating (like those excruciatingly annoying BK commercials!). If advertising gets to be too annoying, well that's what the back button is for.

I work in digital media and I utterly and entirely recommend EVERYONE use ad/analytics/tracking blockers and browsers which limit user-level data collection and tracking. As someone who works in the field and actively builds end-arounds to systems that thwart our ability to easily track your behaviors online, it's in your best interest to do so. Sure, you don't have to do any of this, but seeing any particular ad is…

The only real attack I've heard about is that if your insurance company finds out you participate in risky behaviors, they'll raise your rates. Otherwise why does it matter if Google knows my age and some of my hobbies?

Re: Ask HN: Does anybody not use an adblocker?

#29

Post by ac29 »

illwrks wrote: post #25
syncbehind wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unless rooted, you're basically relegated to two options. 1. You can set your dns to a custom dns (adguard's dns is commonly used) to block ads systemwide. 2. You can use a vpn proxy style adblocker via Blockada, Adaway, or Adguard. If you're rooted, you can just modify your hosts file manually or use something like adaway to do it for you.

Ah yes, they are likely running at rooted device. I didn't even think of that. Thank you!

Custom DNS has been available for years in Android and doesnt require root or any additional apps.

Re: Ask HN: Does anybody not use an adblocker?

#30

Post by yulaow »

xhkkffbf wrote: post #14

Why? Because I believe they're wrong. I think it's just wrong to engage with any business and disable, sidestep or circumvent their way to make money. It's like shoplifting. It reminds of people who open up a box at the supermarket, eat the food, and then claim that the barcode was on the box so that must be what's for sale. I want the Internet to have ad supported content. I want the people who create this content t…

I agree with you, that's why I support any website that uses contextual ads and not profiling/tracking ads deactivating my adblocker for them.

I have zero sympathy for sites that try to profile me, I consider personal data protection an inviolable right and act in that sense

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