Google intensifies fight against YouTube adblockers - gHacks Tech News
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Google just announced that it is intensifying its fight against adblockers on YouTube and specifically against third-party YouTube apps.

Google warns users of these apps that their experience may deteriorate soon. They may “experience buffering issues” or see errors such as “the following content is not available on this app” when trying to watch videos.

Similar to Google Search, ads have become insufferable for many users of the service. There are too many of them, they may break the viewing experience, and they may show inappropriate content.

YouTube Premium is expensive. What weights more for some users is that its functionality is severely limited when compared to third-party apps.

The cat and mouse game continues.

For those looking to avoid ads or improve privacy, here are some options for free, open source, privacy-friendly frontends to YouTube without advertisements:

https://www.privacyguides.org/en/frontends/#youtube

  • LWD@lemm.ee
    20·
    7 months ago

    This is the same Louis Rossman who is part of the FUTO organization. FUTO makes GrayJay and other tools, and funds Graphene, the FSF, VLC, and Right to Repair stuff.

    Louis isn’t some Rob Braxman type.

    He’s established in his field as a pretty technically competent public advocate for consumer rights.

    • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
      412·
      7 months ago

      Grayjay is not libre. I call BS on his credibility. You shouldn’t blindly follow influencers.

      • LWD@lemm.ee
        132·
        7 months ago

        The source code is right here. It’s free and open source.

        Am I missing something here? FUTO appears to do tons of good work so I’m not exactly sure what one non-“Libre” piece of free, open source software does to discredit them, or him.

        • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
          48·
          7 months ago

          Its not, check the license. It is a massive liability if you look at the code. They could claim that you are stealing.

          • LWD@lemm.ee
            131·
            7 months ago

            This reads as extremely petty.

            He’s part of an organization that also made an app that also has a license that isn’t totally perfect, therefore all his other advocacy is inherently wrong?

            Cancel Louis Rossman first, and then we can reassess whether his comments here are also incorrect.

            ETA: I found this article that lays out the issues about GrayJay and its license. It doesn’t deem the app, nor anyone associated with it, particularly cancel-worthy either.