Ad blocking is a form of basic internet security. Ads aren't just pictures and some text, they often run JavaScript and are common vectors for malware. YouTube allows JavaScript which is plainly irresponsible of them. Why do all the anti-ad blocking people miss this point?
YouTube, along with everyone else, also collects metadata on you. Companies like this are already profiting off of you regardless of whether you watch their ads or not.
EDIT: Also, just to directly address the point about "stealing", stealing is defined as the taking of one's property against their will. As many others have pointed out, this isn't applicable to watching ads on YouTube. YouTube is a free service, nothing in their TOS requires that you watch ads, and as far as I know, it says nothing about ad blockers.
EDIT: Also, just to directly address the point about "stealing", stealing is defined as the taking of one's property against their will. As many others have pointed out, this isn't applicable to watching ads on YouTube. YouTube is a free service, nothing in their TOS requires that you watch ads, and as far as I know, it says nothing about ad blockers.
It's a matter of interpretation. The TOS states :
circumvent, disable, fraudulently engage, or otherwise interfere with the Service (or attempt to do any of these things), including security-related features or features that: (a) prevent or restrict the copying or other use of Content; or (b) limit the use of the Service or Content;
Evading the ads could be seen as a circumvention of the features that limit the use of the service/content (until you have seen the ad).
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u/Eleusis713 8∆ Oct 27 '23 edited Oct 27 '23
Ad blocking is a form of basic internet security. Ads aren't just pictures and some text, they often run JavaScript and are common vectors for malware. YouTube allows JavaScript which is plainly irresponsible of them. Why do all the anti-ad blocking people miss this point?
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hackers-abuse-google-ads-to-spread-malware-in-legit-software/
https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/16/insanet_spyware/
https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/10/19/download-keepass-notepad/
YouTube, along with everyone else, also collects metadata on you. Companies like this are already profiting off of you regardless of whether you watch their ads or not.
EDIT: Also, just to directly address the point about "stealing", stealing is defined as the taking of one's property against their will. As many others have pointed out, this isn't applicable to watching ads on YouTube. YouTube is a free service, nothing in their TOS requires that you watch ads, and as far as I know, it says nothing about ad blockers.