News + Trends
YouTube launches worldwide video blocking for adblockers
by Florian Bodoky
YouTube: Does adblocker detection violate EU law?
8.11.2023
Translation: machine translated
European data protection experts are furious about the adblocker detection that YouTube has recently started using. This violates European data protection law - and is therefore illegal in Europe. The Data Protection Commission must now take action.
A few weeks ago, YouTube tightened its adblocker controls. The video portal and creators are financed by advertising, among other things. That's why YouTube wants you to stop using adblockers. Instead, you should either watch the content along with the adverts - or purchase a paid premium subscription. YouTube therefore uses programmes that recognise whether you are using such an ad blocker.
Now, however, YouTube is facing trouble: according to German data protection activist Alexander Hanff, the technology behind YouTube's adblock detection is illegal. It violates the EU's ePrivacy Directive. This states that online services must obtain the consent of users if they wish to access information on the respective end device - for example via a JavaScript-based detection script. This would have to be done, for example, via a consent button on a banner, as is the case with web cookies. The only exceptions to this are services that do not function without this information. This demonstrably does not apply to YouTube.
Hanff has already lodged a complaint with the Data Protection Commission in Ireland (DPC) and demanded that it take action against YouTube for a possible breach of the law and order the platform operator to stop the adblocker detection process.
Patrick Breyer also supports this request. He is a member of the German branch of the Pirate Party and a Member of the European Parliament. He justifies his reservations about YouTube's approach by stating that users with ad blockers would also protect themselves from tracking - i.e. the recording of their surfing behaviour.
He is now taking action: As part of his office Breyer is now requesting a written statement from the responsible commission regarding the legal situation in this matter. The Commission should examine whether such a recognition procedure on the part of YouTube is mandatory or impermissible.
Cover image: Shutterstock
I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.
Computing
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
90 comments
later