> If I as the human request the software on my computer to modify the content before displaying it, for example by installing an ad-blocker into my user agent, then that's my choice and the website should not be notified about it.
Because the website has every right to block you or refuse access to you if you do that, just like an establishment has the right to refuse you access if you try to enter without a shirt, if you're denying them access to revenue that they predicated your access on.
Similarly, if you're using a user-agent the website doesn't like, they have the right to block you, or take action against that user-agent to prevent it from existing if they can't reliable detect it to block it.
Because the website has every right to block you or refuse access to you if you do that, just like an establishment has the right to refuse you access if you try to enter without a shirt, if you're denying them access to revenue that they predicated your access on.
Similarly, if you're using a user-agent the website doesn't like, they have the right to block you, or take action against that user-agent to prevent it from existing if they can't reliable detect it to block it.