Since add-ons such as AdBlock Plus are integrated into one's browser, how would Apple's treatment via the App Store affect such?
You are confusing the Safari Ad-Block
extension with the Ad-Block
app.
The Safari Ad-Block
extension is installed in Safari and effects
ONLY Safari. The Ad-Block
app is installed in the applications folder, resides in the menu bar, and effects
all internet browsers and apps on the system. The app is a VPN (Virtual Private Network) that forces all internet communications to go through the Ad-Block servers and the advertising is blocked there and not in the computer. From the description in the article…
Koperski was also informed that AdBlock violates section 4.2.1 of the App Store Review Guidelines, which states, "Apps should use APIs and frameworks for their intended purposes and should indicate that integration in their app description."Further, Apple specifically called out AdBlock's use of VPN profiles and root certificates to block content in a third-party app, a practice not allowed on the App Store, the report said.
…Apple's decision seems straight forward and supportable based on their published standards.
I would also point out that features built into Safari 11, the current version of Safari Technology Preview for Sierra and Safari Technology Preview for High Sierra offer far more control and precision for Safari extensions such as Ad-Block. On a website by website basis these new browsers permit...
- activating content blocking extensions
- Using Reader if available
- Page Zoom
- Controlling autoplay audio and video
- camera access
- microphone access
- location information
That cannot be done with an app so even though I use the Ad-Block app I doubt I will miss it when it is gone.
My question is whether or not this will effect the multitude of non-ad-blocking VPN apps in the App Store.
