Via an open letter to Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, Alliance Digitale, APIG, Geste, SRI, Udecam and the Union des Marques express their serious concerns about the generalization of a functionality like “Hide annoying elements. A new iOS 18 feature that allows you to quickly remove all advertisements on a web page.
A cry for help
In a open letter to Apple, Alliance Digitale and five French media and advertising professional associations demand the immediate removal of the new “Hide annoying elements” functionality on Safari. On iOS 18, Apple now gives the user the ability to hide any element on a web page in two small clicks. A great feature for users, but dramatic for website owners, according to the French media group.
A system without restrictions, capable of hiding ads and consent banners and which therefore threatens the economic balance of the media and content providers. Without forgetting the simplification of the manipulation of information and the non-compliance with the famous European regulations on digital technology, which is already causing so much concern for Apple in recent times.
The request is clear, we must suspend this functionality, but also provide all the technical aspects of its operation to the entire media. In the absence of an adequate response, the coalition reserves the right to enter the legal field to ensure that it receives a response to its request.
The subject is indeed delicate. Unfortunately, there is little chance that Apple will respond to this request, although it is entirely legitimate. Whether we like it or not, advertising keeps the majority of sites alive and above all allows us to continue to make “free internet”. In a utopian world where we completely eliminate advertising on the web, we would have to pay a sum of money each time we want to visit a site. Some people tend to forget…