Fight 2025 AV Laws: My 3-Step Fake Popup Protest Guide

Understanding the Threat: Why the 2025 AV Ban Matters

The "Digital Ecosystem Integrity Act" is deceptively named. On the surface, its proponents argue that a single, deeply integrated security solution provided by the OS maker is more efficient and secure. They point to reduced software conflicts and a simplified experience for non-technical users. But digging deeper reveals a far more concerning picture.

This legislation effectively creates a security monopoly. For decades, a vibrant ecosystem of cybersecurity companies has competed to offer the best protection, the most innovative features, and the most efficient performance. This competition has driven the industry forward. Removing it means stagnation. It means the OS provider has no incentive to innovate or respond to user demands quickly.

Here's a breakdown of their justifications versus the real-world impact:

The core issue is freedom. The freedom to choose the tools you trust to protect your digital life. The freedom for innovators to build better solutions. This act threatens that freedom, and we need to make sure everyone understands what's at stake.

The Digital Picket Line: A 3-Step Fake Popup Protest Guide

Our protest method is a throwback to a classic internet trope: the security alert popup. But with a critical difference: this is not malware. It's a symbolic piece of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that you, as a website owner, can voluntarily add to your site. It's designed to be instantly recognizable, easily dismissible, and completely harmless. Its only purpose is to spread a message.

Step 1: The Design - Crafting a Nostalgic, Unmistakable Message

We want the design to feel familiar, reminiscent of early-2000s operating systems. This aesthetic is instantly recognizable as a "system alert," grabbing attention effectively. The key is to be visually disruptive but functionally respectful.

Here’s the CSS to style your protest popup. It uses a simple, clean design that evokes that classic alert feel without being ugly.

/* Protest Popup Styles */
.protest-popup-container {
  position: fixed;
  bottom: 20px;
  right: 20px;
  z-index: 9999;
  font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
  background-color: #f0f0f0;
  border: 1px solid #ccc;
  box-shadow: 5px 5px 15px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
  width: 320px;
  border-radius: 5px;
}

.protest-popup-header {
  background-color: #005a9e;
  color: white;
  padding: 8px 12px;
  font-weight: bold;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: center;
  border-top-left-radius: 4px;
  border-top-right-radius: 4px;
}

.protest-popup-close {
  background: #e0e0e0;
  color: #333;
  border: 1px solid #999;
  font-weight: bold;
  cursor: pointer;
  padding: 0px 6px 2px;
  border-radius: 3px;
}

.protest-popup-body {
  padding: 15px;
  font-size: 14px;
  line-height: 1.5;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
}

.protest-popup-icon {
  font-size: 32px;
  margin-right: 15px;
  color: #ffc107;
}

.protest-popup-link {
  color: #005a9e;
  text-decoration: underline;
  font-weight: bold;
}
      

Step 2: The Code - A Safe, Simple, & Respectful Implementation

Now for the mechanics. We need the HTML structure and the JavaScript to bring it to life. The JavaScript is key: it will create the popup, inject it into the page, and—most importantly—ensure it only appears once per browser session and is easily removed.

The HTML Structure (generated by JavaScript)

You don't need to write this HTML yourself. The script below will create it. This is what it will look like:

<div class="protest-popup-container" id="av-protest-popup">
  <div class="protest-popup-header">
    <span>Security Choice Warning</span>
    <button class="protest-popup-close">X</button>
  </div>
  <div class="protest-popup-body">
    <span class="protest-popup-icon">⚠️</span>
    <div>
      Your right to choose security software is under threat by the 2025 AV Ban. 
      <a href="https://www.eff.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="protest-popup-link">Learn more</a> and defend an open internet.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>
      

The All-in-One JavaScript Snippet

Place this script just before the closing </body> tag of your website. It's self-contained and has no external dependencies.

<script>
  document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
    // We use sessionStorage to ensure the popup only appears once per session.
    if (sessionStorage.getItem('avProtestShown')) {
      return;
    }

    // 1. Create the popup elements
    const popupContainer = document.createElement('div');
    popupContainer.id = 'av-protest-popup';
    popupContainer.className = 'protest-popup-container';

    const popupHeader = document.createElement('div');
    popupHeader.className = 'protest-popup-header';

    const headerText = document.createElement('span');
    headerText.textContent = 'Security Choice Warning';

    const closeButton = document.createElement('button');
    closeButton.className = 'protest-popup-close';
    closeButton.innerHTML = 'X';
    closeButton.setAttribute('aria-label', 'Close protest message');

    const popupBody = document.createElement('div');
    popupBody.className = 'protest-popup-body';

    const icon = document.createElement('span');
    icon.className = 'protest-popup-icon';
    icon.innerHTML = '⚠️'; // Warning emoji

    const bodyText = document.createElement('div');
    bodyText.innerHTML = 'Your right to choose security software is under threat by the 2025 AV Ban. <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/01/resolutions-digital-liberty-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="protest-popup-link">Learn more</a> and defend an open internet. #AVFreedom';

    // 2. Assemble the popup
    popupHeader.appendChild(headerText);
    popupHeader.appendChild(closeButton);
    popupBody.appendChild(icon);
    popupBody.appendChild(bodyText);
    popupContainer.appendChild(popupHeader);
    popupContainer.appendChild(popupBody);

    // 3. Add to the page
    document.body.appendChild(popupContainer);
    sessionStorage.setItem('avProtestShown', 'true');

    // 4. Add close functionality
    closeButton.addEventListener('click', function() {
      popupContainer.style.display = 'none';
    });
  });
</script>
      

Step 3: The Deployment - Spreading the Code and the Cause

With the code ready, deployment is simple. Paste the CSS into your site's stylesheet and the JavaScript snippet before your closing </body> tag. That's it. Your site is now part of the digital picket line.

But don't stop there. The power of this protest is in its scale.

• Share the Code: Fork it on GitHub, create a CodePen, or post it on your own blog. The more people who have access to this safe, standardized snippet, the better.
• Use the Hashtag: When you post about this on social media, use a consistent hashtag like #AVFreedom or #FightTheAVBan. This helps unify the conversation and shows the scale of the opposition.
• Write About It: If you have a blog or a platform, explain to your audience why you've added the alert. Context is everything.

Beyond the Code: Other Ways to Join the Fight

The popup is an awareness tool, but it's just one piece of the puzzle. Real change requires a multi-pronged approach. Here are other vital actions you can take:

• Contact Your Representatives: This is the most direct form of political action. Call, email, or write to your elected officials. Tell them you oppose the "Digital Ecosystem Integrity Act." Be polite, be clear, and explain that you value market competition and the freedom to choose your own security software.
• Support Digital Rights Groups: Organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) are on the front lines of these battles every day. Consider donating or becoming a member. They have the legal and policy expertise to challenge these laws in ways individuals can't.
• Educate Your Network: Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues. Many people won't understand the implications of this law. Explain the danger of a security monoculture and the importance of choice.

Our Choice, Our Internet

The fight against the 2025 AV Ban is a fight for the very soul of the open internet. It's about preserving a world where innovation thrives, where users are empowered, and where no single corporation holds all the keys. The internet was built on principles of openness and decentralization, and this legislation is a direct assault on that foundation.

This fake popup protest is more than just code; it's a symbol of our collective will. It's a distributed, grassroots message that says, "We are watching, we do not consent, and we will not give up our freedom of choice without a fight." Add the code, spread the word, and make your voice heard. Let's keep the internet open and free for everyone.