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Google cracks down on VPN based adblockers

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Re: Google cracks down on VPN based adblockers

#181

Post by userbinator »

At least you can still "sideload", i.e. download the software straight from the source and install it that way, the way software used to be distributed before this walled-garden dystopia started...

I personally run a MITM proxy on my network which all traffic goes through. IMHO the security concerns are overblown and largely come from companies like Google trying to stop people doing things like this. They are only securing their profits, nothing more and nothing less.

These changes aim to improve the ads experience, tighten security and limit misinformation according to the company.

The truth is probably closer to "increase the number of ads you see, secure you from getting around that, and limit the proliferation of anything but their official propaganda."

Re: Google cracks down on VPN based adblockers

#182

Post by ytch »

t0bia_s wrote: post #160
ytch wrote: post #127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use OpenVPN/Wireguard to setup split-tunnel VPN, only route DNS traffic to Pi-hole at home network. Although my connection may be leaked, I thought it's faster since 5G is faster than my home network upload speed.

But your speed in device connected to OpenVPN/Wireguard is limited by upload speed of you home connection. Not by data connection speed on client device.

Yeah, So I use split-tunnel. For example only route 192.168.1.0/24 via VPN, then set 192.168.1.10 as DNS server. Therefore I can use pi-hole at home and other traffic are routed by 5G directly.

Re: Google cracks down on VPN based adblockers

#183

Post by naillo »

disintegore wrote: post #178

I categorically reject ads. I want them completely abolished. I will do everything that's in my power to get them out of my machines. If I had just a little bit more courage I would go out at night with cans of spray paint and deface billboards.

There's like 5% of people who actually use adblock too. Seems rude to go out of their way to just anger people like you.

Re: Google cracks down on VPN based adblockers

#184

Post by smileybarry »

jorge-d wrote: post #175
smileybarry wrote: post #162

I started using NextDNS years ago and it's been a blessing. Blocks almost every ad on a DNS level on mobile devices, and on PC I still augment it with uBlock Origin. Per-device logs also let me debug connectivity if something breaks, and it's great for mapping local device names without mDNS debugging or some dnsmasq resolver lying around.

I did the same and I must say it has been a breeze to use. I even configured my own list for my family member's devices and am still not reaching the free-tier quota. I even unplugged my PiHole because this was much simpler.

I was happily on the free tier for a while until I switched to iPhone, then suddenly just my iPhone ran though 150k queries (compared to a Pixel). But if you're on Android, Google TV, etc. you should be comfortably fine within the free tier.

It's definitely worth the $2/month price for Pro though.

Re: Google cracks down on VPN based adblockers

#185

Post by rixthefox »

Wouldn't this be more evidence that Google shouldn't be running the Play Store?

If they are going to start blocking apps that do adblocking on-device that sounds like an abuse of power and a HUGE conflict of interest with Google running the Play Store AND being owned by an advertising company.

Re: Google cracks down on VPN based adblockers

#186

Post by scarface74 »

Octabrain wrote: post #151
Larrikin wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The experience is so awful when I browse on my iPad, instead of my Android phone with Firefox+UBlock. I really don't understand how most people can stand to browse with all the ads. The modern web is so much worse than the pop up ads of the old web.

In my case, not being able to use Firefox (and therefore all the extensions including ublock) was the main reason (among others) to get rid of my iPhone 12 pro and go back to a modest Android.

iOS has supported ad blocking since iOS 8 and has supported your standard web extensions for a couple of years.

Re: Google cracks down on VPN based adblockers

#187

Post by cft »

matkoniecz wrote: post #140
cft wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The GDPR cookie pop-ups that make navigation on mobile often nearly impossible was a major assault in the remaining open web. The EU bureaucrats that drafted it never created anything constructive in their lives, only regulated. As a result, less and less of the independent web is getting traffic, everything is consolidating in TikTok, Instagram and similar apps

> As a result, less and less of the independent web is getting traffic Tracking cookies are not mandatory. You are not obligated to present cookie banner: you can simply drop nonessential cookies.

Getting money for running websites is also non-mandatory? Are we going to fund them from the government 5-year plans yet? Our hosting expenses alone are 8k per month.

Re: Google cracks down on VPN based adblockers

#188

Post by scarface74 »

the_gipsy wrote: post #123
lloeki wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seconding AdGuard. Also, while not an ad blocker, Hush helps reclaim a bit of sanity regarding all these nagging GRPR/cookies "privacy" popups.

Just installed (enabled under Settings->Safari->Ad blockers) and it doesn't work at all on some sites I tried. From what I know, it never will as long as Apple only allows shitty request inspection with allow/deny result. It just cannot work nowhere near as well as uBlock Origin.

You mean if Apple adds the ability to add standard web extensions?

https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safariservices/saf...

Re: Google cracks down on VPN based adblockers

#189

Post by rabuse »

rapnie wrote: post #97
inglor wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's wrong with Firefox Focus as a Safari content blocker? I barely see ads on my iPhone and websites breaking because I have an ad blocker is more common than seeing ads.

I use Firefox Focus mostly to watch YouTube vids on my iOS tablet, and it is one big ad-infested experience. Just learned I should look at AdGuard and hope that will bring improvement. Update : On first impression that does not seem to have worked.

I don't believe there is any way for blocking Youtube ads on iOS currently. It's a shame, because those double 15 second ones drive me mad.

Re: Google cracks down on VPN based adblockers

#190

Post by scarface74 »

mccorrinall wrote: post #69
Larrikin wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The experience is so awful when I browse on my iPad, instead of my Android phone with Firefox+UBlock. I really don't understand how most people can stand to browse with all the ads. The modern web is so much worse than the pop up ads of the old web.

Try Orion browser on iOS/iPad. Afaik it’s the only browser that implements web extensions, therefore you can install any native firefox or chrome extension from the store. It’s by the makers of kagi.

Well, the only browser on iOS if you exclude the one that’s built in.

https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safariservices/saf...

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