You "like" something on Facebook and it influences the ads you see on the side of the site. I see nothing wrong with using this tracking to advertise things that are more likely to be what you're interested in. Seeing as Facebook and many others are sites that have no fees for us to use, I don't believe there is a problem with them using simple advertising techniques to draw more attention to a product. The ads are based on things that you are interested in and are influenced by the decisions you make on the web.
If you don't like the way people see you or what you are doing on the web then maybe it isn't a place where you belong. The internet is a large place and once you post or say one thing then it is out there somewhere for people to see. The simple thing is if you don't want others to know stuff about you then its as easy as not putting it out there for others to know.
I can understand that some are unhappy with the way you are tracked but on free sites I don't have a problem with it. On sites that you may have to pay for though it's a whole different story. Those place should give you more privacy and choices based on what you want.
I don't feel that these companies are becoming too much of a "big brother" because everything they do is based on your interest and your personal information isn't involved or is it being taken and shared with others without your consent.
After reading most of the posts, it looks like the majority of our class is comfortable with our personal data being used for target marketing.
ReplyDeleteAgreed most of us seem cool with these companies tracking our searches. I think the point to take away from this is, we pretty much have to be ok with this or scrap the internet as whole. The majority of us internet uses will never take action. We can bitch and moan the select few that don't approve can attempt to take action, but nothing will be done. Do people really think if they stop using the internet that GOOGLE will stop tracking? Also, if they send a letter or email to complain these companies are going to listen? Good luck and let me know how that works out!
ReplyDeleteI meant "users" I should probably proofread a little better.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the case of law enforcement tracking online activity, as in the "Big Brother" article? What happens when it's not a company, but a government entity?
ReplyDelete