Violation of Google ToS?
Violation of Google ToS?
Strictly speaking, does ADP violate Google's ToS by changing the structure/format of the SERPs?
Re: Violation of Google ToS?
link to the Google ToS ?
They haven't bothered ABP or adblock with it so i guess not
They haven't bothered ABP or adblock with it so i guess not
Re: Violation of Google ToS?
Here's the link http://www.google.co.uk/accounts/TOSvinny86 wrote:link to the Google ToS ?
They haven't bothered ABP or adblock with it so i guess not
Perhaps, they haven't bothered ABP or adblock because they think it's strategically better to not do so (yet) rather than there's insufficient legal ground?8. Content in the Services
8.2 ... You may not modify ... based on this Content (either in whole or in part) ...
Re: Violation of Google ToS?
we did not modify. we just don't display them.
BAM ! loophole !!
Plus ABP+Adblock+Admuncher+peerblock userbase is "too big" and they will face user backlash if they make any moves to initiate legal action.
BAM ! loophole !!
Plus ABP+Adblock+Admuncher+peerblock userbase is "too big" and they will face user backlash if they make any moves to initiate legal action.
Re: Violation of Google ToS?
Some ABP lists have element-hiding rules that hide the ads but do not alter the organic search results.
There's a buzzin' in my brain I really can't explain; I think about it before they make me go to bed.
Re: Violation of Google ToS?
"Contents" is defined to be more than just the search results though:lewisje wrote:Some ABP lists have element-hiding rules that hide the ads but do not alter the organic search results.
The DOM seems to fall under it.8.1 You understand that all information (such as data files, written text, computer software, music, audio files or other sounds, photographs, videos or other images) which you may have access to as part of, or through your use of, the Services are the sole responsibility of the person from which such content originated. All such information is referred to below as the “Content”.
Re: Violation of Google ToS?
Technically it isn't manipulating the DOM, just the CSS that tells the browser how to display it
There's a buzzin' in my brain I really can't explain; I think about it before they make me go to bed.
Re: Violation of Google ToS?
DOM or CSS, they are both technically part of some data file - some source file.lewisje wrote:Technically it isn't manipulating the DOM, just the CSS that tells the browser how to display it
Re: Violation of Google ToS?
Why Google and not all websites ? Anyway, AB+ does not change any page by default.mun35 wrote:Strictly speaking, does ADP violate Google's ToS by changing the structure/format of the SERPs?
What a strange question...
Re: Violation of Google ToS?
Google is just one example -- they have a ToS online. I haven't gone through others' ToS, so I can't comment.pirlouy wrote:Why Google and not all websites ? Anyway, AB+ does not change any page by default.mun35 wrote:Strictly speaking, does ADP violate Google's ToS by changing the structure/format of the SERPs?
What a strange question...
The key functionality of ABP is to make changes to a page, as wisely pointed out before, by making changes to the CSS.
Re: Violation of Google ToS?
Actually that's just element-hiding, which is not IMO the key functionality; for me, the key thing is the actual blocking, to scan the HTTP requests made as part of the loading of the Web page (after the request in the URL bar) and block those that match a blocking entry and do not match an exception entry, solely by looking at the URL and the type of request, not at any of the content of a potential HTTP response.mun35 wrote:The key functionality of ABP is to make changes to a page, as wisely pointed out before, by making changes to the CSS.
The only reason I hadn't mentioned it in the context of hiding the ads is that the ads on SERPs are not fetched with a separate HTTP request and so in order to hide them from view, element-hiding must be employed (i.e., the ads still show up if you "view source" but they're just not displayed).
There's a buzzin' in my brain I really can't explain; I think about it before they make me go to bed.
Re: Violation of Google ToS?
The ToS is a contract between the website and the user, not between a website and some third-party software. Meaning that the real question is: "Do users with Adblock Plus violate Google ToS?" This is doubtful given that there is no actual website modification, Adblock Plus is rather preventing some web resources from downloading and applies some user stylesheets. But the question can only really be answered in court - I'm quite certain that we will never see that, Google will not go after its users (extremely bad PR move). Not to mention that most users never see the ToS, let alone agree to them. In other words, this paragraph might theoretically apply to Adblock Plus, but even if it does - it's effectively void.
Re: Violation of Google ToS?
That's a good point. I feel more at ease about using ABP now. Thanks.Wladimir Palant wrote:The ToS is a contract between the website and the user, not between a website and some third-party software. Meaning that the real question is: "Do users with Adblock Plus violate Google ToS?" This is doubtful given that there is no actual website modification, Adblock Plus is rather preventing some web resources from downloading and applies some user stylesheets. But the question can only really be answered in court - I'm quite certain that we will never see that, Google will not go after its users (extremely bad PR move). Not to mention that most users never see the ToS, let alone agree to them. In other words, this paragraph might theoretically apply to Adblock Plus, but even if it does - it's effectively void.
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Re: Violation of Google ToS?
If Adblock Plus counted as "modifying the Content" for the purposes of the Google ToS, then so would all of the following:
A site's Terms of Service could explicitly say that using an adblocker violates it (though they still couldn't enforce that), but the terms referenced here about "modifying the Content" don't cause a problem.
- Using a text-mode web browser, like links or lynx.
- Turning off images or JavaScript.
- Changing the font size (hitting Ctrl-plus or Ctrl-minus).
- Browsing via a screen reader or other similar accessibility software.
A site's Terms of Service could explicitly say that using an adblocker violates it (though they still couldn't enforce that), but the terms referenced here about "modifying the Content" don't cause a problem.