Bypass Paywalls Clean (BPC) allows users to bypass paywalls that exist for the sole purpose of granting access to news in return for payment. According to its developer, the browser extension has been removed from GitLab after being hit with a DMCA takedown notice. Many users of BPC are venting their frustrations right now, mostly in respect of the takedown itself. In reality, the things that led up to the takedown notice are more worthy targets.
If it’s possible to bypass the paywall, that means there’s already a class of unauthenticated clients you’re allowing to see it. I have no interest in complying with whatever infrastructure you use to implement this discrimination.
Implementing a true hard paywall is trivial software. The only reason bypassing is possible is because they’re trying to have their cake and eat it too by allowing (eg) search engines to see it unauthenticated.
I have a simple opinion on paywall bypassers:
If it’s possible to bypass the paywall, that means there’s already a class of unauthenticated clients you’re allowing to see it. I have no interest in complying with whatever infrastructure you use to implement this discrimination.
Implementing a true hard paywall is trivial software. The only reason bypassing is possible is because they’re trying to have their cake and eat it too by allowing (eg) search engines to see it unauthenticated.