Apple Cracking Down on VPN-Based Ad Blockers That Work in Third-Party Apps

[jw2002]

On Monday we will try to get an updated version through review and see how it goes.

Good luck. I am one of your many, satisfied and paying customers. In fact, it is quite telling that so many users are willing to pay for an ad blocker rather than "pay" for the nuisance of experiencing ads. Hopefully the sun will set for good on ad based apps soon.

There are just too many negatives associated with allowing ads on my devices. I value not being distracted. I value not having my personal data sold. I value saving network bandwidth. And most importantly, I value avoiding the stress associated with ads, alerts, and other useless notifications.

 

[RMD68]

There's something rather disturbing / unsettling about this.

>> It's not clear why Apple has changed its policy after so many years, but many apps, including native apps like Apple News, feature ads as a way to monetize. <<

Certainly don't want Apple to prioritizing monetizing their users experiences and start viewing advertisers and media companies as customers (advertisers and media companies). Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Comcast etc. would be waiting to welcome them aboard.

Are you aware Apple is a publicly traded company? What is this drivel?

 

[kemal]

I use Adblock and Adblock plus. Good enough for most ads. But some times those nasty HTML5 open as you scroll ads still get through.

Bad to you Apple and Phil.

 

[RMD68]

Sounds like more of Apple playing Big Brother (1984) telling everyone what they can and cannot do. Before today, it was OK, but now it isn't?

Those that site "security concerns" as a reason don't match what Apple says is the reason. Doesn't fit Apple's guidelines needing to be "app-like"??? That's not using security as the reason.

While I occasionally use a VPN on my iPhone (not for ad-blocking though), I don't really care one way or the other, but it's the principle that, again, Apple is dictating what can and can't be run on the iPhone.

How does denying ad blocking of free, ad supported apps in Apple's own app store indicate some dystopian future?

 

[hobspain]

Not only are they annoying, they chew through huge amounts of data...

Love those stats and the graph. What ad-blocking App is that?

What I would love to know also is what applications are tracking you and consequently being blocked. For example I use mSecure for storing my passwords both in the iPhone and Mac. On the Mac App I found out, using Little Snitch, that they track you and was able to block those network connections . Any app that can do something similar in the iPhone ?

 

[celaurie]

Love those stats and the graph. What ad-blocking App is that?

What I would love to know also is what applications are tracking you and consequently being blocked. For example I use mSecure for storing my passwords both in the iPhone and Mac. On the Mac App I found out, using Little Snitch, that they track you and was able to block those network connections . Any app that can do something similar in the iPhone ?

Privacy Pro - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/disconnect-pro-privacy-and-performance/id1057771839?mt=8

 

[spinedoc77]

Disappointed to see this.

If I am not mistaken, Adguard Pro has a VPN option, that allows ones to block ads in third party apps. I have been using it and really like it. I need to make sure to download the app and others like it, so that I will have access to them.

I'm bummed as well as Adguard Pro works perfectly for this.
[doublepost=1500316928][/doublepost]

We are surprised, to say the least.

On Monday we will try to get an updated version through review and see how it goes. There is a small chance that they decided to banish apps which use the old "mobile config" profile installing option.

However, I tend to believe that the article is true and they've made the decision to ban all the device-wide ad blockers. Unfortunately, there's no easy side-loading on iOS, and we can't just live without the app store as we do on Android. So it is more likely that we'll have to re-think the "Pro" app and think up a new set of premium features, which will distinguish it from the free version. I hope they will at least allow us to have the DNS settings functionality.

The old "Pro" app will be left as it is now.

This sucks, I love your app. Definitely something that has me considering the Pixel 2 now.
[doublepost=1500317353][/doublepost]

The problem is some apps don't have alternatives. I'd love to know how much an app developer actually makes on a user by putting ads in when someone doesn't click on them. Is there a per impression payment?

If developers could say "we make an average of $2 per download" and had an iap for $2, I'd pay it. If I use an app more than afew times, I'd be happy to pay to remove the ads, if they had the option.

Yeah, that's the issue, there is no alternative. Or many times the alternative is a subscription. I'm not sure when everyone got so greedy where just paying a single price for an app isn't sufficient. But looking at it from the devs POV they probable don't make much money that way.

The mitigating factor for this IMO is how cheap apps have always been, it was just obvious that something had to break for a dev to make money. It's interesting that consumers are so cheap they would rather suffer through ads than pay what an app is worth. Personally I have no issue paying $10-$20 for an app depending on its functionality and importance to me, but for that price it better include lifetime updates/support, no IAP or ads, etc. I just paid $10 for my last app, HRV4Training, no IAP or ads. Heck I routinely pay $50-$100+ for windows PC programs, so $10-20 seems reasonable to me for a well made/supported app.

But this would never work because consumers would run away in flocks, especially after getting used to free and .99 cent apps.

 

[UL2RA]

I know. Sometimes people do extreme things when all that's needed to enjoy the competition. If you don't like the competition then maybe consider that watching the add is part of the cost of doing business.

What?

 

[mikecorp]

I stoped downloading apps. I switched off automatic updates. More you update the iphone gets slower and less functionality is available. I believe every version is made for *(*£ people. There should be a pro Version. I hate Advertisements. I'm blocking everything and everybody.

 

[nsayer]

There was, for apps. There was this neat model where apps were put in the App Store, with a price, and people paid those prices to get the apps, and they didn't have advertising.

The problem with the App Store in regards to that particular model is that there was (and is) no way to know if an app is worth the price or whether or not another app exists that might be a better value.

Yes, there are reviews, but since it's a single marketplace, there's nothing else, so there's no way a non-free app can gather reviews that might help people determine whether its price offers good value or not. If you show up tomorrow with a $3.99 ad-free app, you'll starve.

 

[Jailbreaking Bad]

Care to share how it’s done?

Have to install Tomato firmware onto the compatible router then you can enable adblock in its settings. It'll retrieve adblock lists from the internet then start blocking ads. It does apparently block ads in third party apps as well as the remainder on Safari.

 

[Braderunner]

This really frosts my fanny!

 

[CarlJ]

The problem with the App Store in regards to that particular model is that there was (and is) no way to know if an app is worth the price or whether or not another app exists that might be a better value.

Yes, there are reviews, but since it's a single marketplace, there's nothing else, so there's no way a non-free app can gather reviews that might help people determine whether its price offers good value or not. If you show up tomorrow with a $3.99 ad-free app, you'll starve.

Ah, but I'd argue there is, indeed, a fairly good way to know if an app is worth the price. The reviews on the App Store aren't much to go by, true - Apple hasn't done a very good job of making the App Store a great experience. I practically never learn of an app from poking around on the App Store - I'm pretty much always coming in from a review or forum thread I've read that recommended an app that sounds interesting/useful to me. A compelling review, whether professionally done, or some guy in a forum passionately explaining the reasons why he prefers a particular editor/calendar/toaster app... that's more likely to sway me than a dozen reviews on the App Store.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

There should be no ads within an App. Period. Ads within apps or even on the web are very intrusive and disruptive to the user experience. Seems like every website has ads that popup to ask you to sign up for something. As for "in app purchases" how about just making the whole app available in one shot. It's a big issue with games which is why I don't DL and use them. I have AdGuard on my Mac which helps but no such thing on iOS.

 

[JackieInCo]

There should be no ads within an App. Period. Ads within apps or even on the web are very intrusive and disruptive to the user experience. Seems like every website has ads that popup to ask you to sign up for something. As for "in app purchases" how about just making the whole app available in one shot. It's a big issue with games which is why I don't DL and use them. I have AdGuard on my Mac which helps but no such thing on iOS.

I have Adguard Pro on my Macs as well as my iPhones/iPads.

On my jailbroken devices, I have Adguard Pro set in Appadmin to block all updates. The other devices, I will just keep skipping the updates for Adguard Proso I never lose the ability to block ads in apps.

I have another app that tells me about earthquakes worldwide that has started placing ads in the list of earthquakes and they want $.99/year to remove the ads. If they charged a one time fee, I would pay it but I'll just keep blocking them now.

 

[avatar-adg]

Ba dum tss

 

[JackieInCo]

Ba dum tss

And so it begins. Any ideas yet to get around this besides ignoring app updates for us users?

 

[avatar-adg]

And so it begins. Any ideas yet to get around this besides ignoring app updates for us users?

Side-loading via xcode

 

[avatar-adg]

@Erdbeertorte

Please, let's discuss AG-specific questions somewhere else, this is off-topic here.

Spoiler: Off-topic

You should use either AG for Mac or AG Safari extension, don't use them at the same time.

Edit: And should I use that old API?

Nope, Safari content blocking API is much better.

 

[Erdbeertorte]

@Erdbeertorte

Please, let's discuss AG-specific questions somewhere else, this is off-topic here.

Sorry, I know this is about iOS only. Thought a few times about posting in here and did it anyway. But I am able to delete it myself because I have the powers of Grayscull!

I'm already registered to the Adguard forums and will have a look into it soon. It's just because I am sick and a little overcharged with more than one forum (or even thread) at the same time and saw you were online shortly before.


Back to topic:

I think I'll stay on the latest TestFlight beta if anything will be removed or just use Adguard DNS on my iPhone and iPad together with the non-pro Safari extension, what I also have in TestFlight.

Ba dum tss

Where is the multiple dislike button???

 

[AdeFowler]

I wish there was a pro version of the IMDB app. The annoying ad for the Amazon app (which I have installed) pops up continuously even after being dismissed. I would happily pay for an ad free version.

I purchased Adguard Pro just last week to overcome this irritation. Is there an automatic way to prevent an app from being updated?

 

[JackieInCo]

I wish there was a pro version of the IMDB app. The annoying ad for the Amazon app (which I have installed) pops up continuously even after being dismissed. I would happily pay for an ad free version.

I purchased Adguard Pro just last week to overcome this irritation. Is there an automatic way to prevent an app from being updated?

In settings for the iTunes/app store, disable automatic updates. You will have to go to the app store to see what updates are available and when you see Adguard Pro, just ignore that update.

 

[Pnr2020]

People should have the right to disable ads it should be our choice not apples.

 

[DoctorApple]

Ba dum tss

I'm really glad I switched from Disconnect to AdGuard Pro just days before Apple changed their policy. I've long wanted Disconnect to add the ability to add custom rules (white/black listing) and they never did.

If AdGuard Pro is going to submit an update without the fake VPN feature, please do us a favor by listing it as a new app, so us existing users won't accidentally update the app to a new version without ad/tracker blocking. Even if Apple later pulls the app entirely, it may still be available in "Purchased". Although it seems that if an app is removed from all stores worldwide, it will not appear in Purchased anymore.

One workaround I can think of would be submitting a new app (again, please don't update the existing app) as a DNS Overwrite. There's already an app for that mentioned in a previous comment. Then users are free to choose which DNS servers they use to block trackers/ad device-wide. Hopefully the ability to black/white list will be added too. Even if it's more expensive as each DNS server can only be set to one black/white list, which means it would have to be a dedicated server for that one user only. I'm willing to pay for it.

 

[UL2RA]

I stoped downloading apps. I switched off automatic updates. More you update the iphone gets slower and less functionality is available. I believe every version is made for *(*£ people. There should be a pro Version. I hate Advertisements. I'm blocking everything and everybody.

I've probably got 100 apps on my phone and it's never slowed down.