DoubleClick Warns Against Ad-Blocking Browsers

An anonymous reader writes "The end of free Internet content will come when Web browsers start blocking online advertisements by default, a DoubleClick executive has warned. Bennie Smith, the online advertising network's privacy chief, said the popularity of tools like Adblock -- an extension to the Mozilla Firefox browser -- which makes blocking online ads simple was tied to 'a negative vibe against advertising in general'."

Comments

Re:popup ads, not the same as newspaper ads

[Synli]

> Right now I'm browsing slashdot ad-free

I wonder what you think you gain by blocking the ads? It is like saying: 'Ok, Slashdot editors, I want to read your magazine, but I do not want to let you earn any money for running it.'

Instead of blocking the ads you should either subscribe or stop reading it. Any other behaviour is immoral (some would even call it stealing).

Re:Indeed, this is the free market at work.

[AviLazar]

There may not be a binding reason (though there could be in their terms of service agreement) - but you know, I know, and everyone here on /. knows whwy the ads are there. To generate revenue. So by circumventing it you are essentially sending a message to the makers of the site "I don't really give a shit about you or your desires. Thanks for the free stuff SUCKERS". A moral obligation is definitly in place - give something back to the people who provided you with a free service.