[barredo]

I have been in HN since many of the current users could even type on a keyboard, and allow me to chip in.

* They have the right to block by referral

* HN has the right to set up that attribute to the links

* I don't think they are arguing about HN doing it, but to do it silently or covertly by someone in the moderation staff

I wont argue about legality or morals. It looks like they have an issue with the current dynamics of comments in here, and it's an honest way of protesting about it.

If the moderation staff does edit the link, title or attributes it should be reflected at least. Like when they add a date to specify that it's from a few years ago.

Of course, HN users could always choose to protest by protesting and sharing and discussing about the articles anyway. But that doesn't make their point any less valid.

[barredo]

ps Sure, there are a lot of technical methods to circumvent any block. Users in here share archive[.]today links that break paywalls all the time.