Technology AdGuard Blog: The new ‘pay or consent’ scheme in media: a costly illusion of choice

Gandalf_The_Grey

Level 83
Thread author
Verified
Honorary Member
Top Poster
Content Creator
Well-known
Apr 24, 2016
7,389
This year several UK newspapers began implementing a ‘pay or consent’ model, asking readers to pay if they want to avoid personalized advertising. If you think this is just more newspapers jumping on the paywall trend, don’t be fooled. The real catch is in the word “personalized” — even if you pay for a subscription, you’ll still see ads; they just won’t be targeted to you.

Among the major players that have embraced this scheme is The Sun, which asks for £4.99 a month, followed by The Independent at £4, and Mail Online at £2.70. Other publishers like Reach, which includes the Mirror and Express, are offering a “Privacy Plus” option for £1.99.

Most of the newspapers offer only a limited ads experience. The Independent stands out by providing an ad-free experience for its paid subscribers, but it is more of an exception than the rule.
...
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the independent body overseeing data protection in the UK, has suggested that this model fits within data protection laws, meaning consent-based pricing could be allowed.

However, the ICO also emphasized that consent has to be “freely given” and “fully informed,” which raises some red flags considering the fees and the limitations of the subscriptions involved. As publishers scramble to boost consent rates amid falling ad revenues, the real integrity of user choice is at risk.

In short, while the pay or consent model claims to give readers more power, it ultimately creates an illusion of choice that could hurt consumer trust and the future of journalism. Many users would rather stick with ad blockers than pay for a service that doesn’t fully meet their needs.
 

Sorrento

Level 12
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Dec 7, 2021
599
Given up with The Mail as most of the content is pay for & it balks at using most VPN's, & as most of the pay for content is rubbish I shalt be paying to it or any UK newspaper online + most articles are click bait anyway, I can certainly live without them.
 
Last edited:

About us

  • MalwareTips is a community-driven platform providing the latest information and resources on malware and cyber threats. Our team of experienced professionals and passionate volunteers work to keep the internet safe and secure. We provide accurate, up-to-date information and strive to build a strong and supportive community dedicated to cybersecurity.

User Menu

Follow us

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to know first about the latest cybersecurity incidents and malware threats.

Top