It isn’t surprising that many websites and companies aren’t a fan of ad blocking software. Recently Yahoo Mail has begun to lock users out of their accounts if the website detects that the user has an ad block extension installed on their computer. It has also been reported that the use of ad blockers has resulted in publishers losing billions.
This is why it doesn’t come as a surprise to learn that over in Germany, publisher Axel Springer has sued the developers behind Blockr, an ad blocking app designed for iOS. With the introduction of iOS 9, Apple has allowed apps that basically blocks content from websites, and so far it seems that most of the apps that take advantage of the feature are ad blockers.
However the developers behind Blockr aren’t going down without a fight and claim that their software is legal, and it is rightfully so. Earlier this year the German courts had ruled that ad blocking software is legal which is why for now, the court has sided with Blockr and have stated that Axel Springer can easily block access to its website for users with ad blockers installed.
The case is expected to be settled on the 10th of December, but with the earlier precedent more or less making ad blockers legal, we’re not sure if Axel Springer has much of a case here. This isn’t the first time ad blockers have come under fire, with some developers choosing to pull their app after their conscience got to them.