Article MTNL too inserts javascript to target customers

[Technoglitch]

Ads inserted by MTNL have typically been for their own services, and have identified my landline number in the message delivered to me.
– Ads have popped up on both the desktop and mobile, but always in browsers. On mobile, it’s particularly irritating since it’s difficult to cancel the ads.
– In a few cases, they have been for value added services (called BBVAS) such as anti-virus tools.

I’ve been regularly taking screenshots of these ads. Some samples from my Internet browsing over the past year, where MTNL ads have popped up, on TechCrunch, Naukri.com, MediaNama, The Indian Express, Hindu BusinessLine, Flipkart:

These advertisements were being pushed via a service called Adphonso, and this post has more details, and indicates how these ads can be blocked. Wish I’d read it earlier, but frankly, it’s cumbersome for me to block these advertisements on all devices, especially the mobile. Each time I add a new device, will I have to figure out how to block ads from my ISP?


It isn’t just Airtel: MTNL has also been inserting Javascript into Internet connections - MediaNama

 

[Sanjeev]

So govt telecom company copying private firm

 

[Technoglitch]

yup, using third party services..

 

[DashMajor]

never expected this from Govt. firm

 

[Music Fan]

Which services they copying?

 

[NinadG]

Now pay for net packs & also for data traffic generated by these ads......

I was shocked to see Ditto TV ad yesterday.....Don't know how they come to know that I had subscribed to Ditto TV earlier.....

I think it all starts with one pvt operator wanting to earn extra bucks...& all they do is to push PSU for this....For price hike as well as controversial decisions like this....So that it becomes easy for them handle later.....

It seems yesterday's news about Airtel hijacking user web sessions and injecting their own ad code is the precursor to all this....

 

[NinadG]

"MTNL is using Adphonso to serve these ads and here is what Adphonso describes its services as:

The stunning new technique of advertising on the connected devices, delivers Rich Media Advertisements to potential customer through networks.
The solution reads the Machine Details, Browser and OS information and Customer Behaviour along with location and delivers relevant impression.
The network architecture is simple and is directly connected to the ISP and hence avoids the need to go to a publisher and buy expensive ad slots."

How to block MTNL popups - YogeshSarkar.com

It seems the solution for this is pretty easy for home users.....but mobile users have to worry lot....

 

[IndianMascot]

So good to see that MTNL too now looking serious and implementing some good ideas by advertising online to promote its services.

 

[NinadG]

So good to see that MTNL too now looking serious and implementing some good ideas by advertising online to promote its services.

Have you also started getting ads on mobile, PC......

 

[IndianMascot]

Nope. Not yet.