exception rules differently for different devices

Question

Is it possible to set the exception rules differently for different devices?

Random · Accepted Answer

@jogi Generally yes, but maybe I‘m not sure what you mean with „exception lists“ as there are several:

Parental Controls exception lists (so kids can only access sites on the list). These lists are bound to users and are automatically „roaming“ to all the devices of the user. Hence, different devices can have different exception lists already.
Personal Device Firewall exception lists („Allowed Websites“ Dashboard tile). Same as 1. these are bound to either the user (if the user management is used) or to the individual device they were set on. Hence, different devices can have different exception lists already.
Site specific „exception lists“ where not to apply Tracker and/or Ad-Blocking (ie. „don’t block trackers on site abc“). These are set via the Dashboard or the Controlbar and are user or device specific (same as above). Hence, different devices can have different site exception lists already.
HTTPS exception lists („Trusted Apps/Websites“) work for all eBlocker HTTPS enabled devices only. This is to make sure certain native apps still work fine even if they use certificate pinning. This is app specific whitelisting as the intention is to make the app work, no matter on which device you are using the app. Hence it makes no sense to implement this device specifically.

From my perspective the above makes very much sense and I don‘t see where other „device specific exceptions“ could be a gain.

Maybe you can describe your use case more in detail, so we are all on the same page? 👍

THX!

jogi · Answer

Hello Random,

my question above is related to the point 4 you wrote.
Following use case:
My computer with Linux, Windows or macOS and a common browser should fully benefit from eBlocker on the YouTube website. Here it is about all advertising besides trackers. In short: The maximum protection, as currently offered by eBlocker.
But now I want to benefit from the protection of the eBlocker on my smartphone with Android, also with eBlocker Mobile. Although I am protected with the same eBlocker settings as on the computer, I am forced to use the YouTube page via the browser. On the smartphone, however, just the right app (under Android also in the form of one of the alternatives like NewPipe) offers a significant gain in comfort. To use one of these apps, I would have to set the exception for YouTube in eBlocker, but at the same time lose the protection on the computer. So I would like to be able to enable or disable this one rule depending on the device in eBlocker.
Currently this is only possible globally for all devices at the same time. I hope, now my request is formulated a little clearer and more unambiguous if necessary.

Of course I am aware of the fact that I lose all protection of the eBlocker when deactivating and using the corresponding smartphone app on the device at the same time.

Thanks for reply and best regards.

Random · Answer

Is „YouTube App on Android for comfort“ the only use case or are there others/which?

If so, I guess it‘s easier to investigate if there is a trick to make this Android app work. Rather than adding massive complexity to the configuration and implementation by making the Trusted Apps device individual. People will mess up for sure 😉

And just to get this straight: There is no less protection (in terms of tracking) if you add youtube as Trusted Website. You are just loosing the comfort of ad-free videos.

What you can try to make your Android YouTube app work (if it’s not the original Google app) is to record the HTTPS domains manually and add those domains to a user defined Trusted App. Here make sure not to add any youtube.* domains (as this kills the ad-blocker). This might work since a non-google developer will probably not add certificate pinning for youtube to it‘s app.

I‘d love to check this out for you but I‘m in a Google free zone - no Android in my home. Sorry.

THX!