Description
- Name: The use of adblockers and/or similar tools is prohibited
- Topic: Advertising
- Rating:
- Weight: 50
- Description: The service prohibits users from using adblockers and/or similar tools, so users are forced to be subject to targeted advertising and any attempt to limit tracking through advertisements may result in penalties from the service. This limits the user’s choice concerning their privacy and/or how they wish to use the service.
- DDG Checkbox
Reasoning
Forcing users to stop using adblockers is a valid concern for the user’s privacy, and a huge intrusion on user choice.
The rating exists because this is not a common thing to encounter when reviewing policies, and it is a grave limitation on how users can remain private.
Examples
Recently I came accross these quotes on different services:
YouPorn
Source: ToS
[…] and your agreement to display this Website whole and intact as presented by this Website’s host, complete with any advertising, to not interfere with the display of any advertising, and to not use ad blocking software of any kind. This limited license is further conditioned upon your agreement not to use any information obtained from or through this Website to block or interfere with the display of any advertising on this Website, or for the purpose of implementing, modifying, or updating any software or filter lists that block or interfere with the display of any advertising on this Website. Interference with the display of any advertising on this Website, use of ad blocking software to block or disable any advertising while viewing this Website, or use of information obtained from or through this Website to update any ad blocking software or filter lists, is prohibited, violates the conditions of your limited license to view this Website and Works and constitutes copyright infringement.
PornHub
Source: ToS
[…] and your agreement to display this Website whole and intact as presented by this Website’s host, complete with any advertising, to not interfere with the display of any advertising, and to not use ad blocking software of any kind. This limited license is further conditioned upon your agreement not to use any information obtained from or through this Website to block or interfere with the display of any advertising on this Website, or for the purpose of implementing, modifying, or updating any software or filter lists that block or interfere with the display of any advertising on this Website. Interference with the display of any advertising on this Website, use of ad blocking software to block or disable any advertising while viewing this Website, or use of information obtained from or through this Website to update any ad blocking software or filter lists, is prohibited, violates the conditions of your limited license to view this Website and Works and constitutes copyright infringement.
I’m willing to bet that those are not the only examples, but they are the most fresh in my mind.
What are your thoughts?