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WebShield – A new wide-spectrum content blocker for Safari

(github.com)
143 points tW4r | 2 comments | 28 Feb 25 11:21 UTC | HN request time: 0.753s | source
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layer8 ◴[28 Feb 25 16:11 UTC] No.43207233[source]▶
It would be useful to describe what specifically this adds over existing Safari content blockers in that space.
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InfiniteVortex ◴[28 Feb 25 18:51 UTC] No.43208990[source]▶
Author here (I'm not OP): It converts filter lists to Safari's content blocking API using SafariConverterLib (by AdGuard) and stores advanced blocking (scriptlets, extended css, css & js) in a json file. The WebExtension then reads the json file through native messaging and injects the scriptlets, extended css, css & js. This means that things like YouTube ads can be blocked too, whereas using just the content blocking api won't allow YouTube ads to be blocked
replies(2): >>43209145 #>>43221692 #
layer8 ◴[28 Feb 25 19:09 UTC] No.43209145[source]▶
That’s a very technical description. The Safari extensions I use already do block YouTube ads. So it’s unclear what WebShield brings to the table in practical terms over existing extensions.
replies(2): >>43209278 #>>43224919 #
InfiniteVortex ◴[28 Feb 25 19:23 UTC] No.43209278[source]▶
Well, WebShield is free & open source, those extensions may or may not. It's also a single app/codebase across macOS/iOS/iPadOS/visionOS. If you're happy with your current ad blocking setup for Safari, continue using it. I'm not trying to conquer the world.
replies(2): >>43213998 #>>43218608 #
1. crossroadsguy ◴[01 Mar 25 00:31 UTC] No.43213998[source]▶
Will it also show up as multiple extensions (like it does for AdGuard) if I want to use more than 1 type of blocking/lists? (I am aware that it is Apple's artificially forced limitation but thought I will still ask and whether you folks have found a way around it)
replies(1): >>43214348 #
2. InfiniteVortex ◴[01 Mar 25 01:08 UTC] No.43214348[source]▶
WebShield shows up as multiple extensions, 1 content blocker for each category, and 1 for advanced blocking (a webextension). This is because each content blocker, I believe IIRC, has a limit of 150k rules.