Latest iOS ad-blocking app can block ads in apps like Facebook

As first spotted by technology site TechCrunch, the app, called Been Choice, has been released on the App Store last week to allow users to easily block ads in the Safari browser as well as in most of the iOS apps.

This trend transfers the job of gatekeeper of what political information reaches the public from publications, editors or news directors to the likes of Apple and Facebook – the companies that choose, in Apple’s case, which apps are allowed and which are banned or, in Facebook’s case, which news stories or sources are favored by its secret algorithms. A few months ago, the Cupertino-based tech giant was awarded a patent that allows them to show targeted advertising based on the iOS device user’s credit card balance. When the user came within range of one of the camera locations, the app would pop up an alert and display the driver’s current speed.

Why is ad-blocking such a big deal? People are free to read and comment on their content without paying even a cent. Even YouTube relies on advertisements.

PewDiePie, one of YouTube’s largest stars, reportedly made $7.4 million in 2014. The money wouldn’t have been possible without adverts. Any one component is able to download the remaining components from a command and control server by using iOS’ private APIs.

If the hundreds of millions of users start to block ads while they browse the Internet, the revenue of several websites and app developers may significantly drop.

The app, named Been Choice, is only available on the United States app store, where it arrived on Tuesday.

The app is also concerning because it hides a paid surveys operation under the hood of an app promoting data privacy, which seems like a bad fit.

Ciaran O’Kane, chief executive of media analysis company Exchange Wire, envisaged a ripple effect which will make its way right down to the app developers’ bottom line.

David Yoon, cofounder of Been Choice, told FT he created the company to provide consumers with “a choice about who gets their data, how it gets used and who benefits from its value”.

Despite the booming popularity of ad-blockers, a few are against them.

But what implications will Apple’s approval of Been Choice have for the app owners who rely heavily on mobile ads? The app does have the potential to shut down indie app developers that live on ad revenues.

Been Choice may introduce big changes among iOS users and the marketers due to its mechanism of work.