Privacy??
Jul 1, 2015 14:43:04 #
Bugfan
Loc: Toronto, Canada
As I browse the postings in this forum there are always ads popping up everywhere. And of course one argues that this is why the forums are free. Thankfully in time we get to the point where we don't even see them any more. And yet ...
A few days ago I got an email from a friend in Australia. As a result of that posting I quickly googled parkas and sent her a few links to warm winter clothing.
Within twenty four hours I started to see ads for parkas popping up on my screen as I browsed our postings. How did this forum know I had been looking at parkas? How did the search engine know who I am and who I am affiliated with? And what gives them the right to use that personal information to their own benefit?
A couple of days ago I also clicked a link provided by someone asking what we thought about a particular LED macro light. I did click that link and then commented. Since then that same product is also popping up on my pages as I browse our forum. In this case though the connection was made through this forum so that's probably how the computer knew I looked at it.
Frankly, this is getting rather creepy. It makes me wonder who is actually paying attention to what we say and do. It makes me wonder if there is a database somewhere that has a complete record of everything we've bought and said and done. I wonder how long it's going to take before we become slaves to the marketers and the computer giants like google if we aren't already.
Yes this isn't a photography question I will admit so maybe it's out of line. However, ads for parkas in the middle of our summer here are also not photography subjects though it seems administration does consider them to be legitimate photography subjects.
I get the feeling that while we are compelled to behave and adhere to all the rules, the advertisers are free to do as they please. Interesting eh?
A few days ago I got an email from a friend in Australia. As a result of that posting I quickly googled parkas and sent her a few links to warm winter clothing.
Within twenty four hours I started to see ads for parkas popping up on my screen as I browsed our postings. How did this forum know I had been looking at parkas? How did the search engine know who I am and who I am affiliated with? And what gives them the right to use that personal information to their own benefit?
A couple of days ago I also clicked a link provided by someone asking what we thought about a particular LED macro light. I did click that link and then commented. Since then that same product is also popping up on my pages as I browse our forum. In this case though the connection was made through this forum so that's probably how the computer knew I looked at it.
Frankly, this is getting rather creepy. It makes me wonder who is actually paying attention to what we say and do. It makes me wonder if there is a database somewhere that has a complete record of everything we've bought and said and done. I wonder how long it's going to take before we become slaves to the marketers and the computer giants like google if we aren't already.
Yes this isn't a photography question I will admit so maybe it's out of line. However, ads for parkas in the middle of our summer here are also not photography subjects though it seems administration does consider them to be legitimate photography subjects.
I get the feeling that while we are compelled to behave and adhere to all the rules, the advertisers are free to do as they please. Interesting eh?
Jul 1, 2015 15:08:08 #
Jul 1, 2015 15:11:38 #
Jul 1, 2015 15:24:50 #
Advertisements are based on your past internet browsing. Between a vulnerable browsing history and existing cookies you are. well, you know.
The solution depends on your browser. First tighten your security (cookies, privacy settings and the like) then download an 'ad-blocker' that works with your browser. For good measure, since we are at it, also download and install a script blocker. Between the two you see nothing once customized properly.
The solution depends on your browser. First tighten your security (cookies, privacy settings and the like) then download an 'ad-blocker' that works with your browser. For good measure, since we are at it, also download and install a script blocker. Between the two you see nothing once customized properly.
Jul 1, 2015 15:32:33 #
delete your cookies and history files....in th uk The royal mail has just done a deal to push out junk mail based on internet browsing...so not only a cluttered screen but also a cluttered hallway.
Are you being watched? Damn right you are and not just by the government. Companies can now get your 'preferences' any time they want.
Now you know why most uk residents are against the NHS having a single medical database. If you are wise you will not allow your GP to send your prescription electronically directly to the chemist as this info WILL also be sold.
Aint progress wonderful
Are you being watched? Damn right you are and not just by the government. Companies can now get your 'preferences' any time they want.
Now you know why most uk residents are against the NHS having a single medical database. If you are wise you will not allow your GP to send your prescription electronically directly to the chemist as this info WILL also be sold.
Aint progress wonderful
Jul 1, 2015 16:11:48 #
Ads? I didn't know that there were any ads on this site. That makes sense, though. I had wondered who was paying the bills. My adblocker plug-in must be 100% effective here.
Jul 1, 2015 16:18:09 #
Bugfan wrote:
As I browse the postings in this forum there are a... (show quote)
Anytime I research any article on any forum from a toilet seat to a camera, I immediately start getting ads for that article on all forums including this one. There is no peivacy--everything one does or research becomes a matter of record. Worry about facial recognition in the near future.
Jul 1, 2015 18:21:25 #
Bugfan
Loc: Toronto, Canada
Kmgw9v wrote:
Anytime I research any article on any forum from a toilet seat to a camera, I immediately start getting ads for that article on all forums including this one. There is no peivacy--everything one does or research becomes a matter of record. Worry about facial recognition in the near future.
This thread has generated some useful suggestions for maintaining some privacy and perhaps we should all try them. But I think this reply above makes a good point. It really doesn't matter how many new ways there are to protect our privacy, there will always be new things that will work around those tools.
We're in a war but few seem to realize it. And unless enough of us do realize it there will be no privacy.
Jul 1, 2015 18:28:09 #
Bugfan
Loc: Toronto, Canada
I finished my post on privacy saying that we, as individuals, have to adhere to all the roles imposed upon us while at the same time the people who invade our privacy do whatever they please. I found this post in General Chit Chat and I got a private message that said ...
It's interesting, they don't even bother with humans any more, now it's a machine that decides I've broken a rule and then proceeds to shuffle me some place else.
What is our world coming to?
Admin wrote:
This is an automated notice.
Your topic "Privacy??" was moved to "General Chit-Chat (non-photography talk)" section.
You can find it here:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-319960-1.html
Your topic "Privacy??" was moved to "General Chit-Chat (non-photography talk)" section.
You can find it here:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-319960-1.html
It's interesting, they don't even bother with humans any more, now it's a machine that decides I've broken a rule and then proceeds to shuffle me some place else.
What is our world coming to?
Jul 2, 2015 01:24:47 #
Bugfan wrote:
This is not a bot doing that but a real person keeping the forum in check, the admin (AKA the ostrich).I finished my post on privacy saying that we, as individuals, have to adhere to all the roles imposed upon us while at the same time the people who invade our privacy do whatever they please. I found this post in General Chit Chat and I got a private message that said ...
It's interesting, they don't even bother with humans any more, now it's a machine that decides I've broken a rule and then proceeds to shuffle me some place else.
What is our world coming to?
It's interesting, they don't even bother with humans any more, now it's a machine that decides I've broken a rule and then proceeds to shuffle me some place else.
What is our world coming to?
You can disagree with the guy, I do sometimes but he holds the trigger.
Also your topic is not about photography so the move is justified.
Jul 2, 2015 06:36:11 #
Bugfan
Loc: Toronto, Canada
Rongnongno wrote:
This is not a bot doing that but a real person keeping the forum in check, the admin (AKA the ostrich).
You can disagree with the guy, I do sometimes but he holds the trigger.
Also your topic is not about photography so the move is justified.
You can disagree with the guy, I do sometimes but he holds the trigger.
Also your topic is not about photography so the move is justified.
Ok, so it was a human who moved me to another forum. And absolutely, my topic was not photography related, I even said as much so in that sense there was a justified reason to move me.
However ... ads for parkas on a photography forum are also not photography yet they are allowed. It's like I said, there is a standard for us, we are told exactly how to behave and if we don't, action it taken. But when it comes to advertisers, it's ok to ignore the rules imposed on us and to do entirely as they please.
I don't see Admin transferring the parka ads to some non photography forum, only my posting is transferred.
Is that justifiable?
Jul 2, 2015 09:25:04 #
Bugfan wrote:
Yes. This site is advertisement supported..../... Is that justifiable?
No advertiser will pay a site if only one type of ad is allowed.
Jul 2, 2015 10:56:52 #
Bugfan wrote:
As I browse the postings in this forum there are a... (show quote)
Its called Homeland Security
:-D
Jul 2, 2015 20:32:50 #
there is no privacy anymore especially if you have facebook or google on your computer. they report everything you do and look at on the computer to their hq who then turns around and sells that info to various companies and ad agencies etc. the money they make from direct ads on their home pages is just icing on the cake. people complain about the NSA spying, but at least it is for preventing terrorism and not so Burlington coat factory can sell you a parka. Besides all these ads keep the internet free
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.