Is Google really this googley?

For those of you using Firefox, there is an add-on called collusion that lets you see who is tracking your internet activity at any time, and also who is reporting your activity to whom.

All the hardware needed for something truly nightmarish will soon be available off the shelf. I could become one of the world's richest men by bringing it to market first, but that would also make me literally worse than Hitler. I should look into patenting it and sitting on it just to stop it.

Edit: E36 M3, just checked, a few components are already patented.

I don't pay any attention to ads, and I'm notoriously unobservant (just ask my wife). They can target all they want. I buy what I buy when I need it.

The only time it was creepy was when I was discussing horror movies at length with a friend through email, and all of a sudden I started getting ads for horror movies. That's berkeleyed up. They're not always on top of things though. Right now there's an ad for refinancing at the top of the page, and my house is paid off.

Yeah, a friend had, at great expense, switched over to geothermal heating. Was discussing this over a couple of emails with a mutual friend. Suddenly - geothermal ads start appearing. Not surprising - are we really naive enough to think that Facebook and google are given to us out of the goodness of their hearts? They're wasting their time pitching to me – I'm a cheap bastard who only buys vintage stuff.

Lesley wrote: Not surprising - are we really naive enough to think that Facebook and google are given to us out of the goodness of their hearts?

Not at all. I don't expect a shred of privacy through facebook or google, but I was a bit surprised that my personal email was subject to the google spies.

Your personal free Google email, you mean? They make it pretty clear when you sign up that they will do targeted advertising. It's what pays for all those server farms.

If that freaks you out, you can get your own domain. $4.95/month through Bluehost, including email.

Yep. I consider my hotmail account to be the equivalent of talking in a public space.

For those who relish the idea of private correspondence: If you write a letter and seal the envelope, then apply a stamp and mail it, there is a good chance that it will reach it's destination without having been scrutinized by every mega-corporation on the planet.

EastCoastMojo wrote: For those of you using Firefox, there is an add-on called collusion that lets you see who is tracking your internet activity at any time, and also who is reporting your activity to whom.

Interesting. I have now added it. Thanks.

1988RedT2 wrote: For those who relish the idea of private correspondence: If you write a letter and seal the envelope, then apply a stamp and mail it, there is a good chance that it will reach it's destination without having been scrutinized by every mega-corporation on the planet.

That's not really any different from owning your own domain, honestly. It's just when you're looking to get something for free that you discover the price is somewhere else.

So, who here uses "club cards" at their grocery store?

Just remember, if something is free, you aren't the customer, you're the product.

Private browsing: it's not just for porn anymore.

Keith Tanner wrote: So, who here uses "club cards" at their grocery store?

Not a chance.

Lesley wrote: are we really naive enough to think that Facebook and google are given to us out of the goodness of their hearts?

Advertising is the sole reason for their existence. Some people don't realize that there are forums owned by companies for this very purpose. One of the bike forums I'm on is like that, and none of the members knew it.

So you're the one guy who pays more so they don't track your purchases? Or you shop at Wal-Mart. With cash

One of our local chains flip-flopped on the customer tracking. They advertised that "you don't need a card to get our best prices!". Then they discovered they people liked "saving money" by having a card. Then they threw it all out again. Guess the data wasn't worthwhile...

I shop on the reserve with cash

If you use your debit/credit cards, you're targeted there, too. Really, I don't have a single loyalty card.

Well, according to my grocery shopper card, I'm either Buzz Derby or Dirk Dinkley, and I live a 1313 Mockingbird Lane.

But whoever I am, I'll take the 10 cents off Little Debbie thankyouverymuch.

Surprised you guys are getting ads relating to things other than Miata.

Tim Baxter wrote: Well, according to my grocery shopper card, I'm either Buzz Derby or Dirk Dinkley, and I live a 1313 Mockingbird Lane. But whoever I am, I'll take the 10 cents off Little Debbie thankyouverymuch.

Exactly. In fact, sometimes you can get them to give you the card and you tell them you'll mail the info or bring it back. Then you just walk out and use the card and never send in the info.

I tell you, living the life of an outlaw is an absolute rush!

Keith Tanner wrote: So you're the one guy who pays more so they don't track your purchases? Or you shop at Wal-Mart. With cash One of our local chains flip-flopped on the customer tracking. They advertised that "you don't need a card to get our best prices!". Then they discovered they people liked "saving money" by having a card. Then they threw it all out again. Guess the data wasn't worthwhile...

i shop at Wal Mart almost every day... and use nothing but cash..

If you want to see it in action, try this. You and a friend both log into google on your own separate computers. Search for something completely off the charts... something that you both don't care about, like "polyester quilting."

Then check the top 10 search results on both computers. I'll almost guarantee they are different.

Information farming is pretty rampant but also pretty harmless. I have a Gmail account and google tailors my results based on the emails I deal with. And, of course, since my Gmail is linked with my phone and facebook, I get all kinds of custom-tailored ads on my phone, my FB page, etc.

The secret is, IGNORE IT. Be cautious about how you give out info, but for the most part if you simply ignore the ads there is nothing to fear. Google tracks their success. If you send an email about a Ford, google logs that. Then you might see a Ford ad on your FB page. If you click that ad, Google tracks that as a successful link and it helps them succeed and make more money. They get to say to Ford, "hey, see this? We need more money." They aren't selling your SSN, nor are they selling your address to thieves.

I work at Home Depot. We reference most of our information based on the customer's phone number. If someone flies in from Vancouver and wants to custom-order carpet for his mother's condo in FL, his phone number will tell us darn near everything... at least pertaining to Home Depot.

Dude, it's all about the chemtrails.

curtis73 wrote: I work at Home Depot. We reference most of our information based on the customer's phone number. If someone flies in from Vancouver and wants to custom-order carpet for his mother's condo in FL, his phone number will tell us darn near everything... at least pertaining to Home Depot.

I got an extra phone number about 12 years ago. It's not listed, but it rings (different ring) on my regular line. The guy who had it before me must have had the number for years, and it's in every store's data base within a 100 mile radius. When they ask for my number at the till, I give them that one. They ask, Gabe Shelley? Yup that's me.

I had ads for Immodium when I got home. How the hell did they find out what happened on the train this morning?