How about: "Zuckerberg wants open season on surveillance of iPhone users"?

Just my reading of the headline.

Edited By Mick B1 on 30/10/2020 09:35:45

I watch a lot of YouTube content and the adverts are starting to become tiresome.

Adverts are why so many people are now recording programs so that adverts may be skipped over. Given that CD/DVD players have the facility to allow the disc manufacturer to prevent fast forwarding over, eg the "FAST" warning, thus forcing users to wait until the advert has finished, I wonder how long it will be before DVR manufacturers incorporate the same feature in DVR machines. And don't forget that a number, maybe all, of modern DVR's incorporate the facility of software upgrades either over the air or via the internet.

Another pernicious thing I have noticed is the way certain TV stations are starting to move straight into an advert without giving any indication of the end of the program section. I understand, rightly or wrongly, that this is a "feature" of American programs, a "feature" which I for one do not want to see imported into the UK.

I cannot see why we need adverts at all. As far as I am concerned, if I want/need something, then, and only then, will I go looking for it. Years ago this would have involved a trail around the shops or a discussion amongst work colleagues & friends: today, I use the internet. I absolutely will not buy buy the latest all-singing all-dancing model just because it may have a new feature, especially as in general, new features probably do not add much to the functionality of the machine. If you take my seven year old car as an example, it has an electric handbrake. So what? All it does is make hill starts easier, but if you can't manage a hill start with the old mechancal handbrake, should you be even driving? It also has the facility to lock the electric windows in whatever position you wish, supposedly as a safety feature to stop children playing with them. The rear windows are manually operated so this function only works on the front passenger side window. What practical use is that?

Perhaps the answer is that I'm now a grumpy old man!

Peter G. Shaw

Edited By Peter G. Shaw on 30/10/2020 10:52:40

I watch a lot of YouTube content and the adverts are starting to become tiresome.

Same here. The recent trend of putting two adverts back-to-back in each sitting really grates – particularly as the same adverts get pushed time and again and don't seem to be as "targeted" as is suggested.

A concerted effort to drive users to pay for the "advert free" YT Premium experience, maybe ?

Nigel B.

Nigel B, you are likely right. I put up with the ads – covering the screen with my hand, ready to hit the ‘skip ad’ thingy or looking elsewhere while the ad plays. Ads simply do not register with me – except that they are a nuisance I could do without. With practice, one can ignore them quite effectively.

Same as cold calling – I might tell them that when I want a service, like they are pushing, I will look for what I require – or I simply tell them where to go.

Anyone, or most, on twitface likely deserve what they get. My phone and computer are for my convenience, not theirs.

Bill,

But how will you find it, Peter, if the seller of the thing you need doesn't advertise? How will the friends or work colleagues you consult have managed to find it before you? Bear in mind that even an entry in a telephone/business directory is an advert.

On a related note, can I take it your working history does not include much self-employment?

If I want something, or rather these days, need to replace something, then I will do an internet search. Years ago, I would talk to friends and/or colleagues to find out what they did/had. or even go to the library and peruse Which?

When all said and done, companies have had shop window displays since time immemorial, or at least for perhaps 70 years to my certain knowledge, and I assume that beyond then as well. The point that you are ignoring is that whereas in times past, we could blithely ignore the displays, especially if we didn't need the item concerned, yet today, we cannot easily escape having adverts thrust into our conciousness through the medium of television. And that, to me, is the major difference – easily ignored, or not.

True, my working history did not include much self-employment, but I fail to see what difference that makes. Certainly, when I look back all those years, all the self-employed people that I/we needed were well known and did not need to advertise.

Peter G. Shaw

I too watch a lot of youtube stuff. I like watching Ades workshop, just because he is a likeable guy. So last night i watch a video of his. No less than 6 adverts & some you could not skip. Gave up & watched something else. It is getting stupid now.

Steve.

I use Firefox browser with "uBlock origin extension" and don't see any adverts on youtube. It also filters out ads on most other sites but I still see the normal ads to the right on here.

There is a specific extension for you tube called enhancer for youtube. Not used it myself as not needed but it claims to cut ads etc. Do your research and look around its not impossible to regain control.

Having said that it's why I still use a PC, don't know how you will get on with tablets etc I use a tablet but not for Utube if I did I would be looking at blockers for that.

+1 for that method NB. It seems to block just video ads which is great.

regards

I use Adblock plus and it works well with youtube, some sites can detect it but you can switch adblock off for that page/site if required (needs to be switched off for this forum)

Don't forget there are a large number of information sites that rely on income from adverts to maintain there presence on the interweb!

Edited By Rockingdodge on 17/12/2020 10:43:51

It goes well beyond just advertising though;

"Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) will move all UK users onto US user agreements when Brexit takes place to escape from Europe’s privacy laws."

There's lots of sources of this story, but here's the one that supplied that particular quote.
https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/936707/facebook-to-move-uk-users-to-looser-us-privacy-rules-post-brexit-936707.html

Note that this probably won't just affect Facebook; remember the various website popups asking you if you want to share your browsing data, permit cookies etc.
They were due to GDPR requirements, and still will be if websites wish to remain accessible to EU countries; Post Brexit, I might be a little concerned if I don't get the popup on a new website.

Bill