Targeted Ads -- How Do They Know?

[roberth]

Throwing this out there to see if anyone else has had this experience or ideas on how this is happening.

Dairy Queen -- I told a story here about Dairy Queen being out of ice cream. Google toolbar is installed in browser. I was immediately served with DQ ads.

Toothpaste -- I had a cleaning appointment today, very nice young (pretty) hygienist was giving me advice and recommended a specific kind of toothpaste. I had only my phone with me and used Notes to note the name (although I had misspelled it as is my custom [GMan!!!!]). Went to Kings on the way home and bought it. Come home and am served ads for it.


How is this happening?!?

Best I can figure is Google is sending this info via browsers/toolbars. But I can't explain the toothpaste. Did my iPhone X spy on that convo? It would have had to use the microphone and be able to interpret the brand name (not common).

You're correct.

It is their business to know your online footprint, your purchasing trends / history, your current search pattern, and your search history, and all kinds of other metrics.

The search engines and Microsoft and Apple (among others) sell this information to retailers and websites, and they use it themselves in the hopes you'll click on the adverts they place on the websites you're browsing. Google Analytics is one example of a data gathering service. They also know that Americans are impulse buyers with credit cards, if they can present adverts very quickly after your initial searches they stand a good chance of getting paid for that sale directly, or if you go to a brick-and-mortar they still get paid, indirectly but less $$.

Now think about the size and speed of the database they're using, and then think about the network size and speed, and the server farms size and speed of those servers because they're doing this to billions of people every second of single day. The algorithms are incredible.

[Skip]

[snip]

Now think about the size and speed of the database they're using, and then think about the network size and speed, and the server farms size and speed of those servers because they're doing this to billions of people every second of single day. The algorithms are incredible.

The tech doesn't impress me because I work with it. It's how they are getting the hooks into me that is impressive which is more logistical.

Do you ever use your phone on your home WiFi?

Yes.

But let's keep in mind what is being sent and how it can be used. My IP address alone doesn't identify a social media account under the name "John Doe." They would have to record the login to know that. A person going to FB.com isn't sending their credentials. There is a cookie on the device that stores that info. So a service would have to read foreign cookies in order to piece together IP and accounts. This would associate the device, account, and IP.

But then how would a service know the device? MAC IDs sure but then they have to read IP config to get that because (AFAIK) MAC IDs aren't sent over the internet (but are available on local networks). Now if I joined a WiFi that I didn't own (which I never do) of course they could get this. But then then they wouldn't be able to make the association if I used a network they didn't own (Verizon LTE)--which assumes Verizon isn't selling my info and I don't think I can assume that.

I worked in the ad-tec industry for 6 years. Once my nda expires I can talk about this in detail. Just know that it's shady as hell.

I wonder how much of this is actually legal. Sure, you can sign away your rights under a vague ToS but that doesn't nullify state/Fed laws.

Current news on the subject:
Facebook transcribed users? audio messages without permission

Far less remarkable if you give consent to use that service and install an app that does it. I didn't consent to anyone listening to a convo at my dentist's office. I didn't install an app that consents to constant surveillance.

This was exact reason I would not use work pc for personal reason. This was 2002ish.

This is my practice as well. My work laptop is for work only. I don't even visit this board with it!

What happened yesterday was on multiple devices. My iPhone then my personal PC. Since I use my work laptop from home, I have to assume whatever associates IP and device info can associate that device.

[FoxtArt]

I wonder how much of this is actually legal. Sure, you can sign away your rights under a vague ToS but that doesn't nullify state/Fed laws.

What is theoretically illegal/legal based on a reading of a law isn't all that relevant. If a judge isn't willing to see things you're way after you threw $200,000 cash at a case (without any chance of recovery), it's legal.

So yep, gotta follow the NDA's etc.