In response to the Hanff’s claims to the European Commission, German Pirate Party MEP asked for a legal position on two key issues: whether this type of detection is "absolutely necessary to provide a service such as YouTube" and whether "protection of information stored on the device (Article 5(3) ePR) also cover information as to whether the user's device hides or blocks certain page elements, or whether ad-blocking software is used on the device."
YouTube’s New Policy
Recently, YouTube has made it mandatory for users to cease using ad blockers or else they will receive notifications that may potentially prevent them from accessing any material on the platform. The majority of nations will abide by the new regulations, which YouTube claims are intended to increase revenue for creators.
However, the reasons that the company provides are not likely to hold up in Europe. Experts in privacy have noted that YouTube's demand to allow advertisements to run for free users is against EU legislation. Since it can now identify users who have installed ad blockers to avoid seeing advertisements on the site, YouTube has really been accused of spying on its customers.
EU regulators has already warned tech giants like Google and Apple. Now, YouTube is the next platform that could face lengthy legal battles with the authorities as it attempts to defend the methods used to identify these blocks and compel free YouTube viewers to watch advertisements regularly in between videos. Google and other digital behemoths like Apple have previously faced the wrath of EU regulators. Due to YouTube's decision to show adverts for free users, many have uninstalled ad blockers from their browsers as a result of these developments.
According to experts, YouTube along with violating the digital laws, is also violating certain Fundamental consumer rights. Thus, it is likely that the company would have to change its position in the area if the platform is found to be in violation of the law with its anti-ad blocker regulations. This is something that Meta was recently forced to do with Instagram and Facebook.
The social networking giant has further decided on the policy that if its users (Facebook and Instagram) do not want to see ads while browsing the platforms, they will be required to sign up for its monthly subscriptions, where the platforms are free from advertisements.
