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I see this akin to adblockers that generates fake clicks. The sentiment here is if we can waste their time (and money) at scale, it's all for the better.

But with fake clicks, I often read on HN that it is the wrong way to respond. Can someone explain the difference?

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I don't have an opinion on this technique with ads vs. calls, but ads are transactional. You get some piece of content or an app in exchange for your attention, usually initiated by the user, and with low friction to close the tab or uninstall the app. With calls, the moment it rings you are interrupted, the other party reached out to you, and you get absolutely nothing in return for your wasted time.

Ethics seems to be the big reason.

Here you are getting hit by an unwanted ad over hardware you pay for.

Adbockers are an attack on hardware and IP you are using that someone else owns and pays for.

CNN content and servers are 'free' on the condition you view their ads. You are going to them, they aren't pushing on to you.

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