Is it OK to Use an Adblocker on YouTube? Here’s What the Law Says
Is blocking intrusive ads on YouTube via uBlock Origin legal? The unskippable ads is really affecting the viewing experience of the internet users.
This is a question that many YouTube users have asked themselves, especially after YouTube started cracking down on adblock users in late 2023. YouTube began showing a warning message to users who have ad blocking extensions installed, asking them to either allow ads or sign up for YouTube Premium, a paid subscription service that offers ad-free and offline viewing, among other benefits. If users continue to use ad blockers, YouTube may block their video playback.
So, is it illegal or unlawful to use an adblocker on YouTube? The answer is not straightforward, as it depends on several factors, such as the terms of service, the jurisdiction, and the type of ad blocking software.
YouTube’s Terms of Service do not explicitly disallow ad blocking extensions, which remain legal in the US, in Germany, and elsewhere. But the language says users may not “circumvent, disable, fraudulently engage with, or otherwise interfere with any part of the Service” — which probably includes the ads. YouTube claims that ads help support the creators and allow billions of people around the world to use the streaming service for free. By blocking ads, users violate YouTube’s Terms of Service and deprive the company and the creators of revenue.
However, some users may argue that they have the right to control the information that enters their computers or devices, and that they can choose to view or not view whatever they like. They may also cite privacy or security reasons for using ad blockers, as some ads may track user behavior or contain malicious code. Some users may also find ads annoying, intrusive, or irrelevant to their interests.
The legality of using an adblocker on YouTube may also depend on the jurisdiction and the type of ad blocking software. For example, in Germany, courts have ruled that ad blocking is legal and that publishers cannot force users to disable their ad blockers or pay fees to whitelist their websites. However, in France, a court ruled that a software company that offered an ad blocking service for mobile devices violated the unfair competition law and ordered it to stop its activities.
Moreover, not all ad blockers work the same way. Some ad blockers, such as uBlock Origin, block third-party content from known advertising sources by using filters and lists. Other ad blockers, such as AdBlock Plus, allow some “acceptable” ads to pass through by default, unless users opt out. Some ad blockers also offer users the option to whitelist certain websites or domains that they want to support or trust.
Therefore, whether blocking ads on YouTube via uBlock Origin is legal or not may depend on how YouTube enforces its Terms of Service, how users configure their ad blocking software, and how courts interpret the law in different countries. As of now, there is no definitive answer to this question, but it is likely that YouTube will continue to pursue measures to discourage or prevent ad blocking on its platform.
References:
: https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/1347/is-it-illegal-unlawful-to-use-an-adblocker
: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/apr/20/adblock-plus-wins-again-as-germanys-highest-court-upholds-right-to-block-ads
: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/14129599?hl=en
: https://www.theregister.com/2023/1/26/privacy_advocate_challenges_youtube/
: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-advertising-idUSKBN0U70Q420151223
