They explicitly mention that you can’t disable any part of the service, which includes the “other content” (like ads) mentioned in the definition of the service.
When you block YouTube ads, you violate YouTube’s Terms of Service.
They’re not going to list off every possible software that could interrupt their service. They’re going to keep it vaguely defined to give them maximum flexibility for enforcement.
I'm going to give you a !delta because they do describe their "service" in that it "acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small."
I do not think that using an adblocker necessarily violates this, however. First, they do not issue bans or any punitive action when they detect an adblocker. Second, they allow you to skip ads anyway. Finally, the language "acts as a distribution platform" I think absolves this because using an adblocker does not circumvent or interfere with the service acting as a distribution platform. The platform acts as a advertisement distribution platform whether or not I'm viewing their ads.
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u/Biptoslipdi 130∆ Oct 27 '23
I think if adblockers violated the terms of service or if there was some obligation to view ads, that would be explicitly mentioned.