[ratww]

> It could be configured not to.

Not in practice. It requires configuration that is non-trivial for most users and might not be available for them in all cases (eg: using a computer in a library).

In fact, I can't think of a solution that doesn't require third-party software/hardware/product and some computer expertise (AdBlock? Pi-Hole? VPN? Little Snitch? Hosts File?).

[piaste]

Ublock Origin in advanced mode can be set to block all third-party requests by default. I browse the internet that way, but it's definitely not for everyone.

[ratww]

I also browse the internet this way, but yeah. This solution is not available to people not using their own computers, people using certain browsers that don't have it, or just people that haven't heard of it.