The difference is that stores can't preemptively detect I'm going to steal something and bar my entry. Websites can.
As far as I'm concerned anything you send to my web client I can display or choose not to display in any way I want. If you don't like that then do not send it to me - block me. Is it also "theft" if I am blind and use a screen reader?
I also take issue with your use of the word "steal" in the same way people equate piracy to theft it is flawed.
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This is a flawed analogy in its magnitude, but not its spirit:
"Stores are free to block me from access if they detect I'm stealing, there will be no hard feelings."
Ok, but it's still wrong to steal, isn't it? Somewhere there's somebody actually paying out of pocket for whatever website you're using.
The difference is that stores can't preemptively detect I'm going to steal something and bar my entry. Websites can.
As far as I'm concerned anything you send to my web client I can display or choose not to display in any way I want. If you don't like that then do not send it to me - block me. Is it also "theft" if I am blind and use a screen reader?
I also take issue with your use of the word "steal" in the same way people equate piracy to theft it is flawed.