AdDetector is a Chrome add-on developed by Ian Webster that aims to increase corporate transparency for internet users. This free tool detects news articles that may appear unbiased at first glance but are actually paid for by advertisers. With AdDetector, users can easily identify articles with corporate sponsors through a prominent banner displayed on top of the article.

Native advertising, a method used by publications like the New York Times, The Atlantic, Gawker, Buzzfeed, and others, presents ads as journalism or unbiased articles. While some stories may be marked as sponsored, disclaimers are often subtle, making it difficult for users to differentiate between genuine articles and sponsored content.

AdDetector requires permission to run on the pages you visit, but it ensures that your data is never used, stored, or transmitted. For those interested in contributing or auditing, AdDetector is an open-source project available on GitHub.

With AdDetector, users can make more informed decisions about the content they consume and have greater transparency regarding the influence of corporate sponsors on news articles.