I, like numerous other YouTube users around the globe, am constantly irritated and distracted by pause ads especially when using mobile devices. Having had countless experiences where these ads disrupt not just my viewing pleasure but also my concentration, it's clear that this form of advertising is intrusive and degrades the user experience for those on the free tier.

In recent years, YouTube has become even more inundated with different versions of adverts, and this newest addition - pause ads - is a feature too many. These ads popping up on the playback timeline are distractions that can dramatically interrupt a user's flow. It is not just a nuisance for those of us who enjoy leisure viewing; it's also problematic for educators, students, and professionals who rely heavily on YouTube for their work or studies.

Furthermore, digital privacy is a legitimate concern for users today. Though users can invest in ad blockers to counteract data being exposed to advertisers, it shouldn't be a requirement for those wanting a break from unwarranted and invasive ads.

Given that YouTube had approximately 2 billion logged-in users each month as reported in 2020 (Statista), this issue affects a substantial number of people worldwide. It's time YouTube valued its users over ads and faced this issue head-on.

Let's rally together and call on YouTube to reconsider its users' experience and privacy, and work on eliminating pause ads. Please sign this petition to make a stand against intrusive advertising on YouTube.