Ad blocking and website tracking features have already come to the newly-released iOS 9. The Cupertino-based tech company's decision to allow the software in its new operating system has garnered strong reactions, especially from companies that earn by making content. AdBlock Plus, the biggest ad-blocking software, is also reportedly fretting over the future of its earnings.
This is an unexpected response, given that the software, which is owned by German company Eyeo, should be in a good position given that it is the best-known service of its kind. AdBlock Plus, however, earns from internet companies such as Google, Microsoft and Amazon. The companies pay AdBlock Plus so that their ads can get into the 'whitelist', meaning the app will leave them untouched.
According to Sydney Morning Herald, the companies pay 30 percent of the earnings they will make with the ads to AdBlock Plus. Given the condition through which AdBlock Plus makes revenues, the company behind the program has been accused of paying rivals of the iPhone to implement the 'acceptable ads' model. The ads on AdBlock's whitelist will still be appearing on the devices that uphold the model.
AdBlock does this to make sure that users will certainly be able to see the companies' ads, because as more ad blocking solutions come up, the program will not be able to promise them that the bulk of their ads will be visible over different websites. In response to this, apart from allegedly offering payment to Apple rivals, the software has approached independent iOS developers to adopt the 'acceptable ads'model as well.
"[AdBlock] approached a number of independent developers who have expressed their intention to develop an iOS 9 ad blocker to see if they would consider including Acceptable Ads in their solution," a spokesperson for the company said to Business Insider. The amount offered has not been disclosed.
