# Clicking on SDMB link redirects my mobile device to porn site (WAS: Should SDMB obey own rules?) **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [December 28, 2014, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353 "2014-12-28T13:28:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/21 "2014-12-28T19:04:45Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Wouldn’t it violate the “two click” rule? Of course, no one should be surprised about what they get if they intentionally click on one of those links but the rule is there, at least partially, to prevent inadvertent clicks. Links in posts are text only, so the unwary may click without realizing what they’ll be shown. The ads show a thumbnail plus a description; you have a pretty good idea of what you’ll be seeing when you click. This is in keeping with the spirit of our rule. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/22 "2014-12-28T19:06:25Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > Links in posts are text only, so the unwary may click without realizing what they’ll be shown. The ads show a thumbnail plus a description; you have a pretty good idea of what you’ll be seeing when you click. This is in keeping with the spirit of our rule. Would a description alongside a one-click link to pornography be in keeping with the spirit of the rule, since it would give that same pretty good idea? Thank you for alleviating my confusion, btw. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/23 "2014-12-28T19:39:10Z")
As a Charter Member, I don’t see ads, and I’ve been told adblock software works for those who wish to use it. I wouldn’t be offended by porn (-ish) ads anyway; bring 'em on. But what I am deeply offended by, and embarrassed for SDMB, is ads for horoscopes, quack medical advice, and questionable or fraudulent products that this board should never, ever be a party to. I don’t have a recent example, but I have notified ATMB about such in the past, and was told, in effect, “C’est la vie. Live with it.” If this problem has been fixed, I apologize and as Emily Litella says, “Never mind.” ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/24 "2014-12-28T19:48:00Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > Links in posts are text only, so the unwary may click without realizing what they’ll be shown. The ads show a thumbnail plus a description; you have a pretty good idea of what you’ll be seeing when you click. This is in keeping with the spirit of our rule. I’m not sure that whatever I accidentally clicked on was like that - in fact, I think it may have looked like a bit of whitespace (when tapping and dragging to scroll on a tablet, I usually aim for empty space, specifically to avoid inadvertent clicking) ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/25 "2014-12-28T19:57:43Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > But what I am deeply offended by, and embarrassed for SDMB, is ads for horoscopes, quack medical advice, and questionable or fraudulent products that this board should never, ever be a party to. I find it amusing rather than offensive. How many eager responses are such ads going to get from Dopers? Talk about stony ground! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/26 "2014-12-28T19:59:11Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > I find it amusing rather than offensive. How many eager responses are such ads going to get from Dopers? Talk about stony ground! Not many, but not everyone who reads this message board is even a member. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/27 "2014-12-28T20:58:09Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I don’t get those ads because of membership, but if that list is representative of the ads, that’s disgusting. The worst part is several of them look like a swamp donkey’s ass. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/28 "2014-12-28T21:33:49Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > You’ve been here nearly 14 years and this is the first time you’ve heard of pornographic advertising being delivered by the SDMB…something we’ve had countless problems and ATMB threads about over the years? > [@Joey\_P](#): > > Okay, that might have been a bit harsh and looking back, there might not have been ‘countless’ threads, but certainly some, here’s two I found quickly: > [when did we start getting porn ads? - About This Message Board - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=689213) > [Anyone else getting porno google ads? - About This Message Board - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=624441) I’m glad you went and looked, because my response was “I don’t remember seeing threads about pornographic ads. Self-loading audio and video ads, sure, but not porno pic ads.” FYI, these same ads pop up all over pretty much any “news” site that shows entertainment topics. I’ve seen them pretty much on any site linked off threads on this board. The article in question may be about the latest Obama topic, but the bottom of that page will have these same kind of ads about Kardashian butts, tiniest bikinis, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/29 "2014-12-29T02:03:00Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I’m not sure that whatever I accidentally clicked on was like that - in fact, I think it may have looked like a bit of whitespace (when tapping and dragging to scroll on a tablet, I usually aim for empty space, specifically to avoid inadvertent clicking) I’m not sure what you saw, but if it happens again (that is, if you see something clearly pornographic, as opposed to Kardashianesque), save a screenshot if possible and we’ll try to track it down. ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/30 "2014-12-29T11:35:41Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > Kardashianesque Just for the record, I have real issues living in a world where this is a word. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/31 "2014-12-29T13:58:23Z")
“…please send a Windows’s screen capture…” So…if we’re using a Mac? Tough darts? Wha? Colour me unimpressed by the PTB’s attitude to content that most of it’s users (women) find objectionable. I’ll have to think very hard about giving another penny to this board, to be honest. Well, actually not that hard, to be honest. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/32 "2014-12-29T14:32:14Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > So…if we’re using a Mac? Tough darts? Wha? IIRC, Macs could do screen capture before Windows PCs could. I’m sure the voodoo required to make it work is just a google away. > [@](#): > > Colour me unimpressed by the PTB’s attitude to content that most of it’s users (women) find objectionable. AdBlade really is disgusting and any site that doesn’t use it goes up in my estimation just a little bit. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/33 "2014-12-29T14:42:17Z")
Even the ones that aren’t pornographic are ads of the worst sort: a lot of them are the kinds that prey on the stupid, naive, and gullible to separate them from their money. They really do make this site look bad. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/34 "2014-12-29T14:52:50Z")
I’m not signed in to SDMB on my mobile phone, so I just checked. I didn’t see any porno-type or sexually-related ads. Just: How to be a millionaire using these simple tricks 8 hot restaurants owned by celebrities amazing instagram photos most generous celebrities And others in that vein. I agree, they don’t make the Dope look good. (But then, what type of ads would, I guess?) ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/35 "2014-12-29T14:54:56Z")
Yes, I’m aware Macs do screen shots. I even know how to do it, it’s that easy. I was commenting on the specification that it be a Windows screen shot. Seems a little odd, yes? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/36 "2014-12-29T15:05:51Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I don’t get those ads because of membership, but if that list is representative of the ads, that’s disgusting. Me, I was thinking maybe I should drop my membership, ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/37 "2014-12-29T15:25:37Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Yes, I’m aware Macs do screen shots. I even know how to do it, it’s that easy. I was commenting on the specification that it be a Windows screen shot. Seems a little odd, yes? I guess. But 90% of all desktops are Windows machines. It’s not an unreasonable assumption to make. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/38 "2014-12-29T15:25:39Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Yes, I’m aware Macs do screen shots. I even know how to do it, it’s that easy. I was commenting on the specification that it be a Windows screen shot. Seems a little odd, yes? No more so than keeping posts in English since that’s what the majority here speak. If MAC was a majority of systems out there I’m betting some Windows user would have been making the same comment - in other words, the Universe would be reversed. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/39 "2014-12-29T16:41:35Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > Even the ones that aren’t pornographic are ads of the worst sort: a lot of them are the kinds that prey on the stupid, naive, and gullible to separate them from their money. They really do make this site look bad. Come now. This is the kind of complaint that could be made about any sort of advertising. The ads in question are designed to run up impressive click totals, and in that respect I’m sure they’re successful. Are they more effective than other advertising in separating the gullible from their money? Only in the sense that someone who clicks through a dozen pictures of celebrities is shown a lot more ads. I concede the site would look classier if we could run nothing but ads for BMWs and such, like you see at [nytimes.com](http://nytimes.com), but (a) they’re not on offer, and (b) surely you understand that these ads too prey to varying degrees on stupidity, naivete, and gullibility - the difference is that the target naïfs have more money. No need to get into a debate about the excesses of marketing. Our attitude toward advertising is similar to our attitude toward posts on this board: in general we enforce bright line rules, go after violators, and try to prevent a recurrence; otherwise we don’t get judgmental. The major problem we’ve had with advertising over the years is malware; we made some adjustments in our ad-serving procedures after the last outbreak and the problem seems to have subsided. If the worst that happens now is the occasional beef about a horoscope ad … what can I tell you? We don’t encourage belief in horoscopes. But they’re not against our rules. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353/40 "2014-12-29T16:44:53Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Yes, I’m aware Macs do screen shots. I even know how to do it, it’s that easy. I was commenting on the specification that it be a Windows screen shot. Seems a little odd, yes? We would be happy to accept Mac screenshots. Linux screenshots, if Linux lets you take screenshots. Whatever kind of screenshots you got. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clicking-on-sdmb-link-redirects-my-mobile-device-to-porn-site-was-should-sdmb-obey-own-rules/708353.md?page=3)