Long ads that can't be skipped will allegedly be illegal next month, but only in one country

In one country, long unskippable ads will allegedly become illegal from next month.

Unskippable ads are the bane of our collective internet experience.

And with ads seemingly longer and longer than before, it makes going on YouTube feel like a slog sometimes.

But in one country, unskippable ads are set to become a thing of the past.

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This country is making long unskippable ads illegal

Unless you’ve invested in an adblocker, ads are part and parcel of everyone’s internet experience, whether they’re AI Coca-Cola ads or controversial Jaguar rebrands.

We’ve all experienced that itch to skip an ad on YouTube so we can get to our desired video.

Usually, we wouldn’t expect to wait longer than 10 seconds before getting the opportunity to skip an ad – and what a long 10 seconds it is.

But when you end up with a longer ad that can’t be skipped, it eats up a whole lot more of your time.

And your dinner might get cold if you need a YouTube video on while you’re eating.

But in one country, long ads that are unskippable are set to become a relic.

That country is Vietnam, where the government has reportedly issued new rules that would limit the portion that can’t be skipped to five seconds.

These new regulations are set to come into effect on February 15, Vietnam News reported.

Talk about a nice post-Valentine’s Day gift.

What other changes are coming to Vietnam?

This new rule is just one part of a wider array of provisions laid out in Decree No. 342.

Other changes required platforms to implement clear ways for users to close ads with just one interaction.

It was also required that online platforms add visible symbols and guidelines to help users report ads that violated the law.

And if you’re sick of spam and clickbait, you’ll like this next part.

Users in Vietnam will be able to turn off, deny, and block ads that they deem to be inappropriate.

Products that impact the environment or human health will also be under tighter ad regulations – this covers alcohol, pharmaceuticals, and insecticides, among others.

Now the word usually evokes an air of censorship, but we think most of us could get on board with this rule.

After all, bans are sometimes necessary – as was the case when Apple moved to ban an app that was intended to break as many iPhones as possible.