Creators will have to move away from the ad-supported business model to avoid censorship

? Big Tech’s sweeping censorship and use of its power is exposing the many perils of monetizing through ads.

Tom Parker

Several recent events have highlighted the many problems that come with ad-supported publishing.

Google’s recent threat to strip ad revenue from independent news outlet The Federalist over its comments section after a complaint from NBC News showed how vulnerable this model is to attacks from competitors and how reliant it is on the ever-changing rules laid out by ad networks.

Become a Member and Keep Reading…

Reclaim your digital freedom. Get the latest on censorship, cancel culture, and surveillance, and learn how to fight back.

Already a supporter? Sign In.

(If you’re already logged in but still seeing this, refresh this page to show the post.)

Having trouble logging in? Get help here.

Read Next

Australia Advances National Facial Recognition Network Despite Privacy Concerns

Read the story →

More you should know:

The Illusion of Anonymized Data

Centered dark three-layer database icon over a muted yellow isometric background depicting factories, solar panels, a wind turbine, pipes, screens and small human figures suggesting industrial and tech infrastructure.

The Secret Life of Your Utility Bill

A large stylized blue-and-black eye looms over a detailed city skyline with grungy texture and dark human silhouettes standing in the foreground.

NYPD Built a Surveillance Empire and Put It on the Market

Screenshot of a photo gallery app showing a dark left navigation menu and a top search bar, with a four-photo grid featuring monkeys by water, a festive table setting with orange flowers, a couple holding hands, and a flower-lined park path, plus a narrow phone thumbnail column and fireworks at the right edge.

The Easiest Photo Self-Hosting Exit Ramp from Big Cloud

Person with glasses and long hair tied back sits at a desk typing on a keyboard while looking at two large monitors showing maps and a dark application, with a radio, tablet, pen cup and headphones on the desk.

Across Counties and Cities, The Eyes and Ears Are On

The Illusion of Anonymized Data

Centered dark three-layer database icon over a muted yellow isometric background depicting factories, solar panels, a wind turbine, pipes, screens and small human figures suggesting industrial and tech infrastructure.

The Secret Life of Your Utility Bill

A large stylized blue-and-black eye looms over a detailed city skyline with grungy texture and dark human silhouettes standing in the foreground.

NYPD Built a Surveillance Empire and Put It on the Market

Screenshot of a photo gallery app showing a dark left navigation menu and a top search bar, with a four-photo grid featuring monkeys by water, a festive table setting with orange flowers, a couple holding hands, and a flower-lined park path, plus a narrow phone thumbnail column and fireworks at the right edge.

The Easiest Photo Self-Hosting Exit Ramp from Big Cloud

Person with glasses and long hair tied back sits at a desk typing on a keyboard while looking at two large monitors showing maps and a dark application, with a radio, tablet, pen cup and headphones on the desk.

Across Counties and Cities, The Eyes and Ears Are On

Flat-screen television displaying dense vertical columns of red and blue pixelated code with bright red glowing clusters, set against a dark background with a red reflection on the surface below

Big Brother Comes Built Into the Screen