Ever since a commit was made to EasyList, a conflict has begun between UBlock Origin contributers and numerous mod developers that use the Modrinth platform. This is because this commit blocked multiple sponsorship referral banners on mod pages, specifically on the Modrinth website. Modrinth themselves has come out against this change to the EasyList block list and due to UBlock Origin using it by default, this is primarily a conflict between UBlock Origin's main contributors and active mod developers on Modrinth.

Mod developers complaints primarily are that the implementation was commonly breaking their mod pages, leading to important support links for players to be hidden, and that the change negatively affects them monetarily as independent developers. Some mod developers have begun automatically changing their referral links to prevent them from being blocked every time a commit attempts so. Mod developers' are concerned their livelihoods could be ruined by this EasyList change.

UBlock Origin has retorted that the sponsorship affiliate links fit the Easy List definition for an advertisement and therefore they will not make an exception. This is likely because implementing any kind of acceptable ads policy is out of the question for them, as a similar policy is what led to the original UBlock from becoming sub-par and less usable, leading to the UBlock Origin fork.

This primarily raises questions about how or why these mod developers are losing money. The presence of concern implies that their sponsors and affiliates are able to track each individual click or view for their referral links, a practice I am sure most would consider intrusive. We can only hope that this puts enough pressure on these companies and groups to remove tracking from their links.

  • RyanGosling [none/use name]
    ·
    edit-2
    3 days ago

    Back in the classic roblox days, all of the ads on the platform were created by players and advertised their own games on the platform (roblox is essentially a platform and engine for you to do whatever you want). I don’t know if this has any relevancy, but I enjoyed seeing those “ads” because they were created by players with the intention of drawing support to their creations. I would prefer that over corporations injecting tracking software to advertise irrelevant products

    Modding takes a shit ton of work, but it’s sad seeing that a lot of people rely on meager donations to stay afloat. I wouldn’t blame them if they decided to paywall it because people aren’t entitled to anyone’s work for free, but at least a paywall won’t affect random users

    • EelBolshevikism [none/use name]
      hexagon
      ·
      edit-2
      3 days ago

      these ads are sponsorships by hosting companies etc, not mod developers or players. i mean i suppose some members of the companies could be minecraft players but it's not necessary to be hired, I'd imagine