In recent months, YouTube has taken an aggressive approach to ad blockers, automatically disabling plugins like Adblock when users log in to the platform. While users opt in to watching ads when they create an account, disabling ad blockers occurs without their explicit consent, raising concerns about privacy and the control users have over their browsing experiences.
The practice is seen as intrusive and even illegal by many, since their software is being modified by third parties. When trying to watch a video, users using blockers are initially notified to disable them. However, the new update appears to automatically disable the plugin, allowing ads to be displayed.
This behavior is particularly noticeable on browsers based on Chromium , an open-source project developed by Google that serves as the basis for several browsers, including Google Chrome and Edge, suggesting a connection between these activities and Google, which also owns YouTube.
While YouTube defends this measure as a way to support its facebook data creators, many users consider disabling the blocker to be a violation of their rights and preferences.
This tension between YouTube’s commercial interests and users’ rights highlights a growing dilemma over the use of ad blockers and the control platforms have over the online experience.
Is this action illegal?
Is this action illegal?
YouTube's automatic disabling of adblocks raises questions about the legality of this practice. While YouTube has the right to protect its business model, which relies on displaying ads , the way in which this protection is implemented could be seen as an infringement on user freedom.
In legal terms, many users argue that modifying the behavior of software installed on their device without their explicit consent is an intrusive and potentially illegal practice . Furthermore, the lack of transparency about how and why these actions are being carried out can generate distrust towards the platform.
However, companies often rely on their Terms of Service, which users accept when creating an account. These terms often include clauses that allow the platform to take actions aimed at protecting its commercial interests. Thus, the legality of this practice may depend on legal interpretations and the application of consumer protection laws, which vary between different jurisdictions.
Furthermore, the growing attention to issues of privacy and user control on the Internet suggests that this practice could be legally challenged, especially if there is significant mobilization by users and digital rights organizations.