I thought everyone knew that we are the product of Facebook. Nothing is free, and our data is what we exchange to use their services. I've always known that I would get targeted content based on my activity.

More transparency is good, but this article seems a little dramatic with the psychological warfare angle. But, hey, maybe they have already brainwashed me into thinking it's no big deal. ;)

Thanks for sharing! It's definitely interesting and I'm curious what others think. It's very possible I just don't understand the severity of the situation, and I don't share much on Facebook so that factors in as well.

I have always been leary of what does your name mean kind of posts... and the tell about yourself stuff.... And realize, that google targets you too... with ads that it thinks will be "for you".

its the internet, and not as innocent as most of us believe.

Moni

"If the product is free then you're the product."

Yep, most of my professional life (outside of teaching for a few years) has been analyzing all of this data for various marketing firms. Everything you do online is tracked and analyzed to find ways to make money from you.

I've only ever dealt with anonymous data but I'm sure there are sketchier data practices out there. It's just the price for being "connected" these days, and most people have to accept it as unplugging isn't really practical.

I don't worry about it. I'm one of billions of people being tracked and I don't do anything online that I worry about anyone connecting to my identity. If they want to send me more ads about cats, cruises and baking, then go for it!

I do wonder about claims of spying via cameras and the Alexa-type listening products. If people are being recorded without their consent, that's a very different issue. I don't think it's true but it wouldn't surprise me if it were true, at least on some level.

It is what it is. This day and age you can be tracked almost anywhere by almost anyone.

There are 42 million Alexa devices out there. How many people do they employ to listen and what are they listening for?

People need to learn how to best configure their WiFi router security features and spend less time worrying about Alex passing along personal conversations.

I've enjoyed watching "Mad Men" on TV and listening to "You're Under the Influence" on PBS radio. However, they have made me realize how much of my values were influenced by advertising -- which, of course, is directed by commerce. I am sad to realize how ignorant I was to the shaping of *me* by self-serving interests that instructed me what (or who) I should value.

I see whole societies being shaped entirely for the benefit the sellers of products (and values). I feel a fool to have been so unaware of being gulled by this insidious 'shaping' -- which was much less pervasive than what's being 'sold' via the internet.

They have cameras all over too, especially in the UK. Watching murder mystery program, they always check the cameras for the suspects. Thought it was odd that they'd have cameras on the streets of tiny little towns but later read a BBC article about all the cameras in England and Scotland. You can't go anywhere without being watched.

Recording people doesn't require someone actively listening anymore. Computers could record and pick up keywords to use in their advertising. As an example, if you were talking about feeding your dog, you might later receive dog food ads from Amazon.

Yes, I once wrote asking if anyone else got a sick stomach from drinking hot chocolate. When I checked my email a few minutes later there was a email from Williams and Sonoma offering a 20% discount on their Hot Chocolate. Big Brother!

I probably will get another one now, lol.

My husband and I were once talking about something downstairs. Later I went upstairs and got on the computer and saw a story in the sidebar but the exact same subject.

Kathgarden, does surveillance actually thwart crime? I'm not sure that it does. What it can do is possibly find the suspect, but at that point, the damage is done to the victim.

Hareball, do you have Alexa or a camera on your computer for video chats?

It will be interesting to see what will happen with Facebook. I am concerned about possible meddling in our elections.

I am only personally concerned about two things: my bank account and my identity. I really don't care if they collect data on how much milk we drink or what medicines we take.

The problem is, the items we are being fed may or may not be true. Once a lie has traveled the internet it's impossible to stop it. The "birthers" are alive and well. Why?

eld6161 No alexa but our computer has a camera. This was 5-6 years ago. And I was nowhere near the computer I was downstairs.

Does surveillance thwart crime? Yes indeed. Several cameras helped in the investigation to identify the Austin bomber, did you see that story? Same was true of the Boston Marathon bombers.

There are surveillance cameras all over urban areas in the UK. Videos from them have helped in identifying the individuals responsible for a number of different terrorist incidents.

When you're shopping at Target, Kohl's, GE, Kroger, Whole Foods, etc. and location services are allowed on your phone, they'll be forwarding you an irresistible sale coupon.

Brushworks - That why we have the free will to turnoff location on our phones. Security 101.

watchme, this isn't exactly what you were referring to (data gathering for commercial or marketing reasons) and it varies by state, but in most locations law enforcement authorities can ping a phone to obtain its location. Even if location is turned off.

I once needed emergency road service when my newish car stopped running due to (what I later learned to be) a fuel pump problem. While on the phone with them, the person said "Do I have your permission to obtain your location"? I said "Yes". In about two seconds, she came back with "Okay, I see you're on the north side of the street on X street, between Y and Z. Is that correct?" It was. My location setting is always left on "battery saver", where only the cell tower site the phone is connected to is known.

This is what I was getting at.

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/facebook-knows-literally-everything-185915882.html

That’s why some people have been downloading their Facebook data. You can do it too, it’s quite easy. Just head over to your Facebook settings and click the tiny link that says “Download a copy of your Facebook data.”

Making sense of the Facebook and Cambridge Analytica nightmare

The firm harvested data from 50 million Facebook profiles, but now what?

https://www.engadget.com/2018/03/19/facebook-and-cambridge-analytica-nightmare/

I'm more concerned that this is surprising to people. It's the nature of the internet. There is no privacy and everything is tracked. These programs are invasive but completely optional.

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43465968 

Yes. Optional. But too many people are putting their head in the sand.

It's really simple. There is no privacy on social media.
I don't understand why so many seem to think it is the responsibility of social media sites to protect the information they freely give out. It applies everywhere. Do you all really think Houzz is watching out for your privacy regarding all the information shared on this site? Rhetorical question BTW

What's funny is that people seem more upset about this than the Equifax data breach.

Watchme, how many users know how to regulate their location service permissions?

Few, and those who do know get complacent and leave all services on.

Brushworks - Some people don't know how to operate machinery or use tools safely either. But they can still buy them. It's up to us to learn how to use things properly. I call it taking personal responsibility but I realize that's kind of an old fashioned notion to many these days.

Facebook’s not the only collector of your data. Want to see what one company has on you? Check out this site https://aboutthedata.com/

You must register but that’s to insure you see your data. They will let you exercise some control over which data categories they share on you.

Wait, so they want your email address, your physical address and the last 4 numbers of your social security number to register and find out the information they have on you? Does this seem a little funny to anyone else?

It's a brilliant way to not only gather new data but also to confirm existing data.

Did you do it, jrb? I'm curious what info it provides.

Hahaha

This is finally 1984. Mind control. Just like Chisue said, telling me what to think.

Chi, they need that information to confirm it’s you. It’s not a scam or a way to “harvest” new information on you. How else could they provide information on “you” without knowing who you are? The company is Axciom. They’ve been in the data collection business since the late 1970s. The information you’ll see is what’s publicly available: taxes, home value, voting record, party affililation, magazine subscriptions, etc. You’ll be surprised how much is out there. They’ve aggregated it over the years and have been selling it to marketers. And, Yes, I gave them those items of my info. Also, I have identified items for them not to share.

*just a side note: I got a chuckle out of watchmelol’s Houzz username on this thread because, well . . . .

"Data collection" ...

... and "distribution" (for a price).

o j