More than half of all internet users have installed an ad-blocker; Doc Searls calls it the largest consumer boycott in history. -- If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this thread to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog: https://pluralistic.net/2026/10/17/mercenary-spyware/#discover-tech 1/