Captive Advertising is not okay
3 October 2007As I settled into my airplane seat early Monday morning I began to catch up on my sleep – that is until I was awakened to the blaring ads for the US Airways credit card, Hilton Hotels, Sheraton resort, etc. on the overhead speakers. I’m ok with my tray table and newspapers having ads. I’m ok with staring at them in the men’s bathroom, on TV, and on the web. Even the Golden Gate Bridge is considering corporate sponsorship (sigh). I realize advertising is funding many useful and important things in our society and I’m totally onboard with that. But jamming ads down my throat as I’m legally required to stay in my seat is so not ok. US Air may nudge America West off the top of my growing list of “suckiest airlines ever.” Oh wait it is the same darn company!
What does this have to do with Mozilla? It makes me thankful for popup blocking and other technological weapons against captive advertising on the web. It also reminds me of why it is important to have community forces ever vigilant against access to the web being controlled by a single commercial entity. We’ve seen how that show ends and we should never go back. Mostly I’m really grateful to everyone in the Mozilla community for their continuing commitment fostering choice and innovation on the net.
2 Responses to “Captive Advertising is not okay”
October 3rd, 2007 at 4:50 am
US Airways *is* America West. They merged operations a year or two ago. And yes, the collectively are the most customer-unfriendly airline I’ve flown on.
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:03 pm
You aren’t the only person annoyed at the captive advertising.
See “The Airline Rewards Prank”: http://www.zug.com/gab/index.cgi?func=view_thread&thread_id=75870