Yes, ad blockers are legal in Oregon, provided they comply with state and federal laws, including Oregon’s consumer protection statutes and the Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines on deceptive practices. While no Oregon statute explicitly bans ad blockers, their use must not violate terms of service or enable fraudulent activities, such as circumventing paywalls or distributing malicious software.
Key Regulations for Ad Blockers in Oregon
- Consumer Protection Laws: Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 646.605–646.656 prohibit deceptive trade practices, which could apply if an ad blocker misrepresents its functionality or interferes with lawful digital transactions.
- Computer Crime Statutes: ORS 164.377 criminalizes unauthorized access to computer systems, a risk if ad blockers bypass paywalls or modify website code without permission.
- FTC Compliance: The Federal Trade Commission’s 2024–2026 guidance on digital advertising mandates transparency in ad-blocking tools to prevent consumer deception, particularly regarding data collection practices.
Ad blockers must also adhere to Oregon’s privacy laws, such as the Oregon Consumer Privacy Act (OCPA), which took effect in 2024, when handling user data collected through such tools. Failure to comply with these regulations could expose users or developers to liability under state or federal enforcement actions.