UK newspapers tell Apple its 'web eraser' will put journalism at risk
Following AppleInsider's discovery that Safari will add the ability to selectively turn off online ads, UK newspaper groups have complained to Apple.

Safari getting new AI tools in iOS 18
The Safari feature AppleInsider uncovered in April 2024 will mean users can elect to automatically remove certain parts of web pages, most likely adverts. It's expected that the feature will be released as part of iOS 18, and it will be part of Apple's AI announcements at WWDC.
According to the Financial Times, news of this feature has prompted the UK's News Media Association to complain. While the Financial Times says that a letter has been sent to Apple's government affairs chief in the UK, about this feature's threat to the future of journalism.
The News Media Association's letter reportedly said that "ad-blocking is a blunt instrument, which frustrates the ability of content creators to sustainably fund their work." It says that journalism could become unsustainable, and that it also raises questions of editorial accountability.
The organization wants to meet with Apple to discuss the feature. Apple has not yet publicly responded.
However, before any sign of this web erasing feature, there are signs of failing editorial accountability. News Media Association does not list what publications are members, although the Financial Times says the membership includes tabloid titles such as The Sun and the Daily Mail.
The Financial Times itself is not a member. The publication also doesn't list the correct job title for the Apple UK person written to, which a quick LinkedIn search shows was presumably Emma Haselhurst, Head of UK Government Affairs, Apple.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Between pop-ups, surveys, requests for email, tracking permission, the occupation of screen space by ads that blur the line between content and promotion, etc etc, the internet has become progressively un-usable.
But there seems to be some confusion from governments about what is truly important.
Honestly we need to embrace the idea of subscribing to websites we use and not to expect them all to be free.
So… they are trying to protect nefarios, bad, and ad-invasive journalism!
The writing that’s worth it, I pay for. Ad supported is garbage clickbait. Soon to be AI generated garbage clickbait.
With games, apps, streaming (sound, video), phone use, and hardware, we're used to paying. The open web is a huge benefit as it allow open access to information and discussion.
How can we make a www that is more fair?
Perhaps if you didn't have such an appalling UX, and didn't track with as many trackers as you do, this wouldn't have happened.
This can only be a good thing.
Without payment or ads you have nothing but junk news. It would be like expecting great education from teachers that don't get paid. Clearly you won't get the brightest.
With payment some voters can't afford being informed. What to do... subsidize to ensure independent media? That is what we're doing in Northern Europe. Cat videos and influencers won't save democracy.