[cmiles74]

In my opinion, this is not stupid. The way preferred by Microsoft is to mix the ads in with messages such that it's difficult to tell them apart.

If there's anything stupid here, it's Microsoft's decision that if you want the ads to be easily identifiable then you need to have them in your face, all the time.

[iqanq]

If you don't like the way Outlook shows you ads then do not use Outlook.

[getcrunk]

Yes, damn governments always after our benevolent corporations

[nannal]

I say cut the red tape! So what if there are children in the mines? it just means more & cheaper asbestos for everyone.

[drstewart]

Exactly. The fact is that the government is infallible, and any criticism means you think all corporations are benevolent.

Comcast SHOULD have a government-enforced monopoly over internet service! If you think that is overregulation: "Yes, damn governments always after our benevolent corporations"

[mola]

I suspect it's because of American tech companies egregiously monitizing their customers

[stjohnswarts]

European internet companies don't use ads for revenues?

[brnt]

Because, you know, the only way for businesses to make any money is to gather private data sell ads to the highest bidder. There's just no other way!

[dmitriid]

Ah yes. Blame the EU and not, you know, trillion-dollar multinational corporations that go out of their ways to subvert the law.

[vinay427]

Both this comment and the GP comment seem exceedingly ideological to me. The actions of the EU on the internet are not categorically “stupid”, but their laws are also not always for someone's benefit (relative to organizations subverting a given law). It seems rather questionable to base an argument on something so broad and immutable rather than discussing the merits of this specific policy.