Apple enables third-party content blockers for Safari in iOS 9
Developers building apps for iOS 9 have access to an API that can block content like images, tracking cookies, and pop-up ads in Safari, potentially laying the groundwork for Apple-sanctioned ad blockers.
In particular, developers can create app extensions that supply a JSON file to Safari, which screens incoming Web content without feeding browsing history back to the extension. Xcode in fact includes a template for such extensions, only requiring developers to edit the JSON file to add triggers and actions.
In the iOS 9 developer beta, the Safari menu under Settings now has an option for enabling and disabling individual content blockers.
The change could potentially usher in a flood of apps blocking ads, cookies, or offensive content in iOS. While that might improve the popularity of Safari with parents, privacy advocates, or people who just want unencumbered browsing, it might also upset advertisers, who are increasingly dependent on mobile for revenue.
Since the content blockers only impact Safari however, they likely won't interfere with ad systems integrated into apps, such as Apple's own iAd.
Content blockers will also be available for Safari in OS X El Capitan. Both El Capitan and iOS 9 are scheduled to launch sometime this fall.
In particular, developers can create app extensions that supply a JSON file to Safari, which screens incoming Web content without feeding browsing history back to the extension. Xcode in fact includes a template for such extensions, only requiring developers to edit the JSON file to add triggers and actions.
In the iOS 9 developer beta, the Safari menu under Settings now has an option for enabling and disabling individual content blockers.
The change could potentially usher in a flood of apps blocking ads, cookies, or offensive content in iOS. While that might improve the popularity of Safari with parents, privacy advocates, or people who just want unencumbered browsing, it might also upset advertisers, who are increasingly dependent on mobile for revenue.
Since the content blockers only impact Safari however, they likely won't interfere with ad systems integrated into apps, such as Apple's own iAd.
Content blockers will also be available for Safari in OS X El Capitan. Both El Capitan and iOS 9 are scheduled to launch sometime this fall.
Comments
While Apple's at it, I'd really like to see them push back on web sites that work without Flash on iOS yet continue to force the use of it on OSX. I know I can use the Develop menu and select which User Agent I want to use but this shouldn't be necessary. The web sites are satisfied with not using Flash on mobile devices, which probably outnumber desktop devices by a large margin, so why won't they just change everything to HTML5 and get rid of Flash?
It's about time. I already use blockers but having them built-in will help with compatibility.
While Apple's at it, I'd really like to see them push back on web sites that work without Flash on iOS yet continue to force the use of it on OSX. I know I can use the Develop menu and select which User Agent I want to use but this shouldn't be necessary. The web sites are satisfied with not using Flash on mobile devices, which probably outnumber desktop devices by a large margin, so why won't they just change everything to HTML5 and get rid of Flash?
I just uninstalled Flash. Systems are happier. If someone hasn't converted their media content to HTML5 by now I ignore them.
Hopefully this also permanently fixes the hijack that redirects you to the App Store without user interaction.
The change could potentially usher in a flood of apps blocking ads, cookies, or offensive content in iOS. While that might improve the popularity of Safari with parents, privacy advocates, or people who just want unencumbered browsing, it might also upset advertisers, who are increasingly dependent on mobile for revenue.
Sounds like a broken business model to me...
Sounds like a broken business model to me...
Sounds like Googs better worry.
It's about time. I already use blockers but having them built-in will help with compatibility.
While Apple's at it, I'd really like to see them push back on web sites that work without Flash on iOS yet continue to force the use of it on OSX. I know I can use the Develop menu and select which User Agent I want to use but this shouldn't be necessary. The web sites are satisfied with not using Flash on mobile devices, which probably outnumber desktop devices by a large margin, so why won't they just change everything to HTML5 and get rid of Flash?
I just uninstalled Flash. Systems are happier. If someone hasn't converted their media content to HTML5 by now I ignore them.
The problem is with websites that have Flash-free versions, but only load them for platforms that don't support Flash.
Too bad Safari on OSX doesn't let you maintain specific default User Agents for specific URLs.
While I'm dreaming, I'd also like to be able to specify which URLs open in Private Mode and which open normally...
Hello uBlock!
It's about time. I already use blockers but having them built-in will help with compatibility.
While Apple's at it, I'd really like to see them push back on web sites that work without Flash on iOS yet continue to force the use of it on OSX. I know I can use the Develop menu and select which User Agent I want to use but this shouldn't be necessary. The web sites are satisfied with not using Flash on mobile devices, which probably outnumber desktop devices by a large margin, so why won't they just change everything to HTML5 and get rid of Flash?
I'd appreciate this too. For the time being I just open something that requires Flash in Chrome since it's built in to the browser and quit it when I'm done.
Not really. Apple will continue with iAd since it wouldn't be affected by this. In-app ads and ads in Apple services like the just announced Apple News will continue. They're not against targeted ads, they're just publicly against them.
Yes, I noticed your masters in Mountain View have been paying to push a lot of narratives lately.
Can't wait to block ads ... finally! They take up way too much screen real estate on a mobile device.
Insults aren't really necessary are they? I assume we're all adults.
Sounds like Googs better worry.
I think that's an incredibly big (and wonderful!) issue. If there is ever an option in Safari to block all display advertising on third-party sites, that's the end of Google. And the end of Google wouldn't bother me a bit (aside from the layoffs). I think Google has made so many intrusions on our privacy that they deserve to die.
Having said that, if Apple did implement a practical ad blocker, I'm sure Google would find some kind of workaround where you couldn't tell the difference between site content and ad content.
But there is a downside: we have sites and services with ads because consumers have refused to pay for those sites and services. If we kill the ad business with blockers, then don't complain when sites want to start charging for access.
https://itunes.apple.com/nl/app/adblock-mobile-protect-your/id919790902?l=en&mt=8
Not really. Apple will continue with iAd since it wouldn't be affected by this. In-app ads and ads in Apple services like the just announced Apple News will continue. They're not against targeted ads, they're just publicly against them.
Apple is offering two things with this update. 1) Safari users would have a choice to install ad blocking extensions. 2) Developers can build blocking into an app. It is about choice. Clearly, if the developer is including iAd they are not going to block ads. The big upside is for end users being able to block ads in Mobile Safari. I for one am very happy about this news because I hate wading through dozens of ads on a page like here on AI. One or two ads is no big deal but when the page takes forever to load on cellular just because of the ads, that makes the experience unacceptable.
Does Google not allow ad blockers on Android?
Does Google not allow ad blockers on Android?
That doesn't matter. 85% of Google's mobile revenue comes from iOS.
I do not think this is going to be an issue, I running into website today if I am using any sort of ad Blocker built into safari on the mac or using a program like Little Snitch to block IP address where i know ads are coming from, the website now can detect you are blocking their ads and through up a blank page telling to turn off the blocking otherwise you and not use their website..
If more and more people start blocking advertiser will not be happy nor will those website who depend on ads to give you what you get for free and there will be a backlash. I think this is why apple is now under fire for the new Apple Music, not only are companies like Spotify not happy and it Billion $ investors, but Advertisers are not happy since Apple is a paid service free of ads, no free content paid for by ads, I can see Advertisers not being happy about being cut off from the most lucrative market.
Begun, this browser ad blocking war, has.