# TV Tropes Blocks user of Privacy-Focused Extensions and Ad Blockers – Privacy Concerns **URL:** https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/tv-tropes-blocks-user-of-privacy-focused-extensions-and-ad-blockers-privacy-concerns/36743 **Category:** Off Topic **Created:** 2026-04-01T17:54:25Z **Posts:** 23 ## Post 1 by @josephlu2021 — 2026-04-01T17:54:25Z Hello Privacy Guides community, I’ve noticed that [TV Tropes](https://tvtropes.org/) appears to actively block certain privacy-focused browser extensions, addons, and plugins, including popular ad blockers. Extensions affected may include: - uBlock Origin - Privacy Badger - Ghostery - Other privacy-respecting tools Impact for users: - Exposure to ads and trackers despite using privacy tools - Reduced browsing privacy and security - Limited ability to use extensions that enhance online safety Discussion points: - Are there ways to mitigate or bypass these blocks while maintaining privacy? - Should sites that block privacy tools be reported or flagged as a privacy concern? Raising awareness about websites that block privacy-respecting extensions is important. Feedback and suggestions from the community would be appreciated. --- ## Post 2 by @fria — 2026-04-01T18:02:24Z I think it’s revealing that they’re able to detect them in the first place, since they’re modifying the DOM it’s possible they could be able to track you through these extensions. Most people are using different blocklists as well. It might be better to just go without an adblocker and use the built-in anti fingerprinting features of your browser, I mean Tor browser doesn’t use an [adblocker](https://2019.www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser/design/#:~:text=revenue.-,Users%20are%20free%20to%20install%20these%20addons%20if%20they%20wish%2C%20but%20doing%20so%20is%20not%20recommended%2C%20as%20it%20will%20alter%20the%20browser%20request%20fingerprint.,-Stay) for a reason. --- ## Post 3 by @FranklyFlawless — 2026-04-01T20:28:18Z > [@josephlu2021](#): > > I’ve noticed that [TV Tropes](https://tvtropes.org/) appears to actively block certain privacy-focused browser extensions, addons, and plugins, including popular ad blockers. How so? --- ## Post 4 by @josephlu2021 — 2026-04-01T20:40:15Z TV Tropes is blocking the browser extension, addon and plugin of the privacy focused, privacy respecting and privacy friendly including browser extension, addon and plugin of the ad blocker --- ## Post 5 by @FranklyFlawless — 2026-04-01T20:43:28Z You have not explained how they are blocking browser extensions. I do not see any changes from the website using uBlock Origin. --- ## Post 6 by @josephlu2021 — 2026-04-01T20:46:48Z Because TV Tropes is making the anti privacy measures to block the browser extension, addon and plugin of the privacy focused, privacy respecting and privacy friendly including browser extension, addon and plugin of the ad blocker --- ## Post 7 by @FranklyFlawless — 2026-04-01T20:47:17Z What anti-privacy measures exactly? --- ## Post 8 by @josephlu2021 — 2026-04-01T20:49:21Z Anti privacy measures means a measures and mechanisms to block the browser extension, addon and plugin of the privacy focused, privacy respecting and privacy friendly including browser extension, addon and plugin of the ad blocker because TV Tropes is making the anti privacy measures including anti ad block measures to block the browser extension, addon and plugin of the privacy focused, privacy respecting and privacy friendly including browser extension, addon and plugin of the ad blocker --- ## Post 9 by @any1 — 2026-04-02T09:59:08Z > [@fria](#): > > I mean Tor browser doesn’t use an [adblocker](https://2019.www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser/design/#:~:text=revenue.-,Users%20are%20free%20to%20install%20these%20addons%20if%20they%20wish%2C%20but%20doing%20so%20is%20not%20recommended%2C%20as%20it%20will%20alter%20the%20browser%20request%20fingerprint.,-Stay) for a reason. It is planned to include uBlock Origin --- ## Post 10 by @fria — 2026-04-02T10:48:05Z Do you have a link for that? Sounds interesting, I assume they will have the same blocklist for everyone otherwise it would pose a fingerprinting risk with everyone blocking slightly different things. --- ## Post 11 by @josephlu2021 — 2026-04-02T11:05:09Z Yes, TV Tropes is implementing anti-privacy measures, including anti-ad block measures, to prevent the use of privacy-focused browser extensions, add-ons, and plugins, such as ad blockers. This is because TV Tropes is becoming increasingly adept at bypassing ad blockers without users having to pay for the ad-free subscription, which is prohibitively costly for me. The anti-privacy measures, including anti-ad block measures, are making it more challenging for me to block ads without having to shell out for the expensive ad-free subscription, which is a significant financial strain for someone like me who is price sensitive. --- ## Post 12 by @any1 — 2026-04-02T11:57:54Z > **[Add uBlock Origin to the Tor Browser (#17569) · Issues · The Tor Project /...](https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/applications/tor-browser/-/issues/17569)** > > I suggest that we add Ublock Origin to the Tor Browser. Ublock Origin has the following advantages: FOSS under GPL3. See Currently planned for release 16 --- ## Post 13 by @fria — 2026-04-02T12:11:43Z That’s cool, not the MV3 UBO Lite? I would think they won’t be super aggressive with it since they need a blocklist that basically everyone can have without too much breakage, so the MV3 version with less attack surface would make sense. Also I would think MV3 is more future-proof in case Mozilla ever drops support for MV2. Edit: looks like someone had the same idea: > **[Add uBlock Origin to the Tor Browser (#17569) · Issues · The Tor Project /...](https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/applications/tor-browser/-/issues/17569#note_3207248)** > > I suggest that we add Ublock Origin to the Tor Browser. Ublock Origin has the following advantages: FOSS under GPL3. See --- ## Post 14 by @any1 — 2026-04-02T13:52:28Z > [@fria](#): > > so the MV3 version with less attack surface would make sense. > In order to mitigate fingerprinting risks, we want to update and lock filters at browser build / release time, rather than letting uBlock auto-update them live Considering that updating the lists outside of browser releases is not planned, using MV3 seems like the correct choice. --- ## Post 15 by @josephlu2021 — 2026-04-07T17:43:04Z Naturally, TV Tropes is currently putting in place measures to protect against privacy violations, including measures to prevent ad blockers and other privacy-focused browser extensions, add-ons, and plugins from being used. I can’t afford the ad-free subscription for TV Tropes, and their ability to block ad blockers without payment is making it even harder for me to avoid the ads. The measures that are being taken to restrict privacy, such as measures to prevent the use of ad blockers, are making it increasingly difficult for me to avoid seeing ads without having to pay for an expensive ad-free subscription. This is a significant financial burden for me, as I am someone who is very conscious of my expenses. --- ## Post 16 by @any1 — 2026-04-07T17:49:04Z Where are you getting “blocked”? I have yet to see anything related to this on their site. --- ## Post 17 by @FranklyFlawless — 2026-04-07T21:05:19Z They have yet to elaborate with any details since my initial question in this topic, so my tenative conclusion is that they are attempting to spread misinformation about TV Tropes. --- ## Post 18 by @Anonymous545 — 2026-04-08T02:19:10Z I presume what they are talking about is this screen, which pops up when the site detects an adblocker and locks access to the page’s contents. As of writing, it doesn’t show when using uBlock Origin (Lite) or Brave’s ad blocker (Safari + AdGuard for iOS was used to get this picture), although it did in the past for a short period of time (apologies for the vague wording here but I just don’t remember specifics). ![1](https://forum-uploads.privacyguidesusercontent.com/original/3X/7/a/7a125a43e84405c76a241731577908eb13105be8.png) --- ## Post 19 by @FranklyFlawless — 2026-04-08T02:25:28Z Okay, thank you for confirming that it affects other ad blockers/static filter lists. --- ## Post 20 by @Expert4870 — 2026-04-08T02:28:57Z Screens like that are common when you use certain content blockers that don’t work as well. This is not TV Tropes hating privacy specifically, it’s a common industry practice. --- ## Post 21 by @josephlu2021 — 2026-04-09T01:47:23Z Naturally, TV Tropes is taking steps to safeguard against privacy infringements, such as implementing measures to block ad blockers and other browser extensions designed to protect privacy. This will ensure the protection of users’ privacy while using the website. Unfortunately, I don’t have the financial means to pay for the ad-free subscription on TV Tropes. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for me to avoid the ads, as they have found a way to block ad blockers without requiring payment. I am finding it harder to avoid seeing advertisements without having to pay for a costly ad-free subscription due to the efforts being made to limit privacy, such as the implementation of measures to block ad blockers. This is a major financial strain for me, given that I am extremely mindful of my spending and budget. --- ## Post 22 by @Expert4870 — 2026-04-09T02:53:07Z I think you are misunderstanding the situation. Your adblocker setup might not be effective. Try default brave browser or mullvad browser and you should be able to enjoy it without ads. Don’t install any additional extensions and enjoy the browsers as they come. --- ## Post 23 by @Encounter5729 — 2026-04-09T15:05:29Z I have no problem personally. AdGuard cookie list (available on uBo) removes those prompts. Edit: just add those filters (from Adguard list) to your custom filters: ``` tvtropes.org##body div.fc-consent-root:style(display: none !important;) tvtropes.org##body:style(overflow: visible !important;) tvtropes.org##.qc-cmp-showing ```