Hi! Our project addresses the limitations of existing paywall bypass tools by implementing a dynamic, community-driven approach. Key features include:
Real-time Adaptive Blacklist:
Constantly updated database of paywalled sites and effective bypass methods
User-driven reporting system for quick adaptation to paywall changes
Significantly faster response to new paywalls compared to static solutions
Multi-Method Bypass Arsenal:
Unlike single-method solutions (e.g., 12ft.io's cache access), we employ various techniques
Methods include: User-Agent spoofing, Referer header manipulation, JS disabling post-load, and web archive fallbacks (Wayback Machine, archive.is, Google cache)
Our blacklist determines the most effective method per site, improving success rates
Site-Specific Solutions:
Tracking individual websites allows for custom bypass methods when general approaches fail
Parsed and validated HTML output ensures content integrity
We believe this approach offers a more robust and adaptable solution to paywall bypassing. We're eager to hear the community's thoughts and potential improvements.
I'm really doubtful on this because most of these open source apps get banned from Github. Probably will make a dummy account to open issues and always have a copy local and in Gitlab. Should be able to clean the code a bit and share it soon.
The legal landscape surrounding this issue remains ambiguous. I've documented my analysis in the legal section of my website. Typically, the consequence is domain takedowns, which is why I proactively purchased 10 domains as a precautionary measure.
I’d like something like this, but instead of bypassing the paywalls and stealing the articles it’d pay a few cents for each article and charge me at the end of the month.
I really, really want to pay but I really, really don’t want to set up a subscription to read a one-off article.
You are not stealing anything, unless you find a way to delete the source article after you downloaded it. It might break copyright rules. I wouldn't recommend doing either though.
Hmm, I think the victims of organized corporate espionage might see this completely different. Its totally enough if "agents" of a certain country known for not really caring about copyright copy the plans for your new product. They dont have to delete yoour original plans to do damage.
I'm sure there was a startup a few years ago trying to achieve this. I can't recall the name sadly, it was 10+ years ago. Agar or something perhaps?
I believe you topped up a balance and if the site supported it could access per-article resouces for a one off fee. For this to really work it needs to be site independant however.
Nobody's every been prepared to try microtransactions that are actually micro.
I'd like a browser addon that warns of paywalled links before I click them, perhaps adds a padlock icon or dollar sign (maybe with required subscription/cost on hover), to avoid nonsense like 'the first paragraph or two is free, then you hit the paywall'.
Even better if it can do the same for region-locked sites and adblocker-blocking sites, or if on mobile, sites that nag/force you to use apps instead of the web...
I tried to subscribe to an online newspaper in my country.
Subscription was very easy. When I wanted to end it, they made it purposefully hard for me to do. I think it's unacceptable, and should be outlawed: the process to unsubscribe should be as hard (or easy) as the one to subscribe.
Since newspapers (at least that specific one) have no problem doing this as long as it's legal, why should the public be more observant of ethics?
If Revolut is available in your country, create a new virtual card for each subscription and when you can't/don't want to pay them anymore just cancel the card in Revolut.
Its the old leftist anarchism attitude, stealing from someone bigger then you is no crime. Why? Because the system is evil anyways, so no need to play nice. Its starts with people grabbing a newspaper from the stand, and not throwing in the coins. And from there, its uphill... Some people think its totally fine to install a specific app to bypass youtube ads, instead of buying premium. 30 years ago, these people were cracking pay tv with their computers. And it was cool!
P.S.: I am only reporting, this is not my attitude.
> When Homer Simpson reads magazines at the convenience store without paying
A more specific example would be ripping off the plastic packaging to read a magazine. The ones without extra packaging are designed and for a long time expected to be browsed.
(This quip means that if a demagogue aggrandizes themself as a hero or savior, you should be suspicious of whether they really are as saintly as they claim to be.)
Edit:
I'm not saying this quip about paywallskip, which I think is a kindhearted service because it helps reduce the information gap, or digital divide, between the middle class and those stuck in poverty.
Rather, the joke/warning is about demagogues in politics or in wealthy churches, stuff like that.
Not about this post.
Paywallskip never called themselves a hero - an appreciative user did, which is authentic and sweet.
I think no one should ever call themselves a hero.
Just help people, like Paywallskip is doing.
I guess that what real heroes always say, both in movies and in real life, is "I was just doing my job". See e.g. this school bus driver who saved a child's life:
Readit News
Real-time Adaptive Blacklist:
Constantly updated database of paywalled sites and effective bypass methods User-driven reporting system for quick adaptation to paywall changes Significantly faster response to new paywalls compared to static solutions
Multi-Method Bypass Arsenal:
Unlike single-method solutions (e.g., 12ft.io's cache access), we employ various techniques Methods include: User-Agent spoofing, Referer header manipulation, JS disabling post-load, and web archive fallbacks (Wayback Machine, archive.is, Google cache) Our blacklist determines the most effective method per site, improving success rates
Site-Specific Solutions:
Tracking individual websites allows for custom bypass methods when general approaches fail Parsed and validated HTML output ensures content integrity
We believe this approach offers a more robust and adaptable solution to paywall bypassing. We're eager to hear the community's thoughts and potential improvements.
Need help?
https://www.paywallskip.com/posts/legal
I really, really want to pay but I really, really don’t want to set up a subscription to read a one-off article.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blendle
I believe you topped up a balance and if the site supported it could access per-article resouces for a one off fee. For this to really work it needs to be site independant however.
I'd like a browser addon that warns of paywalled links before I click them, perhaps adds a padlock icon or dollar sign (maybe with required subscription/cost on hover), to avoid nonsense like 'the first paragraph or two is free, then you hit the paywall'.
Even better if it can do the same for region-locked sites and adblocker-blocking sites, or if on mobile, sites that nag/force you to use apps instead of the web...
Like the guy who comes into the pub offering to sell dubiously acquired meat for a bargain price.
Why do we feel so entitled to other people’s work as soon as it’s published on the internet?
When Homer Simpson reads magazines at the convenience store without paying, we understand that he’s behaving poorly. Why do we feel differently now?
Subscription was very easy. When I wanted to end it, they made it purposefully hard for me to do. I think it's unacceptable, and should be outlawed: the process to unsubscribe should be as hard (or easy) as the one to subscribe.
Since newspapers (at least that specific one) have no problem doing this as long as it's legal, why should the public be more observant of ethics?
Because intellectual property is a broken and harmful system.
P.S.: I am only reporting, this is not my attitude.
Although it's finely said, in a related worldview, I would adapt it to say:
> stealing from a publicly traded corporation is not a crime because they're not a person anyway
This takes away the pain inflicted on someone when stealing from that individual. Traded corporations carry no pain.
My god man with the way those things have been trending it makes you a saint lol
A more specific example would be ripping off the plastic packaging to read a magazine. The ones without extra packaging are designed and for a long time expected to be browsed.
Deleted Comment
(This quip means that if a demagogue aggrandizes themself as a hero or savior, you should be suspicious of whether they really are as saintly as they claim to be.)
Edit:
I'm not saying this quip about paywallskip, which I think is a kindhearted service because it helps reduce the information gap, or digital divide, between the middle class and those stuck in poverty.
Rather, the joke/warning is about demagogues in politics or in wealthy churches, stuff like that.
Not about this post.
Paywallskip never called themselves a hero - an appreciative user did, which is authentic and sweet.
I think no one should ever call themselves a hero.
Just help people, like Paywallskip is doing.
I guess that what real heroes always say, both in movies and in real life, is "I was just doing my job". See e.g. this school bus driver who saved a child's life:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xnW3NHbMTRs
(short, inspiring video)