14 votes

Google to remove all VPN ad blockers that don’t comply with their policy

11 comments

  1. [2]
    JXM
    Link
    A shitty (but not surprising) move on Google’s part. For anyone who needs an alternative, I’ve been using NextDNS for years in many of my devices. It works similarly to Blockada, in that it...

    A shitty (but not surprising) move on Google’s part.

    For anyone who needs an alternative, I’ve been using NextDNS for years in many of my devices. It works similarly to Blockada, in that it filters at the DNS level but it does it on their servers instead of on device.

    7 votes
    1. cfabbro
      Link Parent
      AdGuard DNS (which I use) operates similar to NextDNS too.

      AdGuard DNS (which I use) operates similar to NextDNS too.

      3 votes
  2. [2]
    Eric_the_Cerise
    Link
    This is just on the Google App Store. Learn to use, and get in the habit of using, F-Droid and/or other alternative app "stores" (everything on F-Droid is 100% free), and not just for your...

    This is just on the Google App Store.

    Learn to use, and get in the habit of using, F-Droid and/or other alternative app "stores" (everything on F-Droid is 100% free), and not just for your adblocker(s) ... get in the habit of going there first for your apps, and just go to Google when you have no other choice.

    Oh yeah, and then support projects like F-Droid for giving you a choice.

    6 votes
    1. knocklessmonster
      Link Parent
      F-Droid is great and goes on every Android device I have.

      F-Droid is great and goes on every Android device I have.

      3 votes
  3. Douglas
    Link

    The new policy specifically says that VpnService cannot be used to “Manipulate ads that can impact apps monetization”.

    4 votes
  4. [5]
    vord
    Link
    In my best Walter Cronkite: Worlds largest advertising network bans technology that makes ads less viable. Full story at 11. Google is smart enough to know banning all ad blockers will result in a...

    In my best Walter Cronkite:

    Worlds largest advertising network bans technology that makes ads less viable. Full story at 11.

    Google is smart enough to know banning all ad blockers will result in a decent sized exodus. But by slowly crippling them and reducing their effectiveness will result in much less resistance.

    4 votes
    1. [4]
      skybrian
      Link Parent
      Exodus to where? Are there VPN-based ad blockers that work on iOS?

      Exodus to where? Are there VPN-based ad blockers that work on iOS?

      2 votes
      1. [2]
        cfabbro
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        Yep. I personally use AdGuard, but there are a bunch of other options that work on iOS too.

        Yep. I personally use AdGuard, but there are a bunch of other options that work on iOS too.

        3 votes
        1. kfwyre
          Link Parent
          Mozilla VPN (which is just rebranded Mullvad) also has ad and tracker blocking. I wouldn't recommend Mozilla VPN on iOS at the moment, though. It broke with the update to iOS 16 and still isn't...

          Mozilla VPN (which is just rebranded Mullvad) also has ad and tracker blocking.

          I wouldn't recommend Mozilla VPN on iOS at the moment, though. It broke with the update to iOS 16 and still isn't fixed like it should be. I had to buy Mullvad directly to tide me over until Mozilla updates their app.

          3 votes
      2. vord
        Link Parent
        Sorry I mostly had Chrome on the brain, as they're doing the same kinda stuff there. But the beauty in Android is you don't need the Google Play store. Enable unknown sources and the world is your...

        Sorry I mostly had Chrome on the brain, as they're doing the same kinda stuff there.

        But the beauty in Android is you don't need the Google Play store. Enable unknown sources and the world is your oyster. I always try to source from Fdroid first.

        That said, I hope to see the day that full Linux phones become viable replacements...they probably need an Android VM in the mix as well though.

        1 vote
  5. Wes
    Link
    Note that this applies to the Google Play Store, not Android as a whole. You can still install these applications from F-Droid or other sources. Blokada releases APKs from their own website.

    Note that this applies to the Google Play Store, not Android as a whole. You can still install these applications from F-Droid or other sources. Blokada releases APKs from their own website.

    4 votes