Facebook had announced a few days back that they were not going to allow ad blocking software applications from screening advertisements on its website since the company felt that Facebook users should get to view advertisements and eventually have a better experience while using the website. However, renowned ad blocking company Ad Block has produced a way of bypassing the update for most of its users in AdBlock Plus and that has left Facebook red faced.
In a statement, the company stated, "We're disappointed that ad blocking companies are punishing people on Facebook as these new attempts don't just block ads but also posts from friends and Pages. This isn't a good experience for people and we plan to address the issue. Ad blockers are a blunt instrument, which is why we've instead focused on building tools like ad preferences to put control in people's hands." According to many tech journoalists, this update would be rolled out imminently but at the same time it does not mean that Facebook's battle with Ad Block regarding a user's freedom to block ads from his Facebook time line is over.
According to a report on TechCrunch, "Today it released that update to its filter that it claims once again removes Facebook's ads. But now Facebook is accusing it of ensnaring legitimate content from friends and Pages, and is rolling out the code necessary to thwart Adblock's workaround. Adblock may be at a disadvantage because on some platforms it has to get users to update their software or edit their filter list manually in order to push its next move. Facebook can unilaterally revise its website's code for all users without them having to do anything. That means by the time most of Adblock's users have downloaded the update, Facebook may have already broken it and be one step ahead."
It went on to add, "The battle has reignited the debate about the legitimacy of adblocking software. Some users view it as a way to keep adtech in check and stop sites from serving them malware or tracking them in ways they perceive to violate their privacy. Others just don't want to look at ads while they browse or wait for them to load. Opponents of adblocking software, including social networks and news outlets, insist that it robs product and content creators of their fair compensation. "
