AdNauseam is a lightweight browser extension that blends software tool and 'artware' intervention to protect users from tracking by advertising networks. AdNauseam works together with an 'Ad Blocker' simulating clicks on each blocked ad (in a background thread), confusing trackers as to one's real interests. Simultaneously, AdNauseam serves as a means of amplifying users' discontent with advertising networks that disregard privacy and facilitate bulk surveillance agendas.
We conceptualize AdNauseam within a broader class of software systems that serve ethical, political, and expressive ends. In light of the industry's failure to achieve consensus on a Do Not Track standard1*, or to otherwise address the excesses of network tracking, AdNauseam allows individual users to take matters into their own hands, offering cover against certain forms of surveillance, profiling, and practices of discrimination. Taken in this light, the software represents a similar approach to that of TrackMeNot, which attempts to relocate power in the hands of individual users, rather than vast commercial entities. For further information on this approach, please see this paper.
- Web Site: http://adnauseam.io
- Authors: Daniel C. Howe, Helen Nissenbaum & Mushon Zer-Aviv
- License: GPLv3 (see included LICENSE file for full license)
- Github Repo: https://github.com/dhowe/adnauseam/
- Bug Tracker: https://github.com/dhowe/adnauseam/issues
- FAQ: https://github.com/dhowe/AdNauseam/wiki/FAQ
Absolutely! We are looking for coders, designers, and translators to help on the project.
If you are a coder or designer, just press Fork at the top of this github page and get started... Or, if you'd like to contribute a translation, please visit this page.
If you're not sure where to start, look at the issues labeled HELP US CODE. Thanks!
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Fork and clone this repository:
$ git clone https://github.com/dhowe/AdNauseam.git
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With an up-to-date version of Firefox, install and activate the Firefox Add-On SDK as described here
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Create a new Firefox profile by opening the Firefox profile-manager. Note the path for the profile when you create and save it.
$ /Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox-bin -P (on OSX)
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Cd into the AdNauseam folder you downloaded via git, and start Firefox with your new profile via cfx
$ cd /path/to/adnauseam $ cfx run -p path/to/your/new-firefox-profile -
You should now be informed that you need an ad blocker to run AdNauseam, so install AdBlock Plus or AdBlock Edge.
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Quit the browser after the install, and then re-start Firefox with your profile:
$ cfx run -p path/to/your/new-firefox-profile
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You can now browse the web, collecting ads in the AdNauseam menu and advault... Once you have made some changes, send us your pull-request!