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by BrendanEich 2094 days ago
False, on facts and law too: DMCA defines "effective access control mechanism" (paywall) and browsers can't hack through those. Anyone who does by exploiting server-side vulns gets in big trouble.

Ad blocking is not like paywall circumvention. Ad and (what Brave does, don't misdirect or let others who get paid to whitelist ads while not blocking trackers, notably Eyeo who owns AdBlock Plus) tracker blocking is allowed by design of the Web standards, and entails no effective access control mechanism to circumvent.

Script blocking in general is a good idea. Signed, creator of JS.
1 comments
ShinTakuya 2093 days ago
Hello CEO of Brave, I didn't say that blocking ads is the same as circumventing paywalls. I said argued (in essence) that blocking users who block ads is a form of access control. I affirmed that people have the right to block ads, but I also asserted my argument that the owner of a server should have the right to block their access if a user tries to access their content without respecting the terms of access.

Signed, an average developer.

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BrendanEich 2093 days ago
“Blocking users who block ads is no different to blocking users who don't have a premium account.”

I get what you mean: either side of the protocol can do what it wants. Also that the publisher has to cover costs via ads or some kind of payment for content, if they aren’t compensated otherwise (separate business on the side; donations).

But your wording was too broad, as it equates (“no different”) blocking content in browsers, which is allowed by design of web standards for accessibility and any reason the user wishes, and blocking via a server side subscription paywall.

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ShinTakuya 2093 days ago
Yeah I can live with accepting that my wording was too broad. I think ultimately we agree to some extent, I can admit some fault for not being clear in my wording. All I was arguing is that we shouldn't be arguing in support of ad blockers only to cry foul when publishers want to block the freeloaders. Although wanting the browser to do it on their behalf is a bit much, I can agree.
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