Linda recently called out my national radio show with questions flooded in my inbox. Obviously, many people have experienced similar creepy moments.
“I was shopping at Walmart yesterday, looking at the knife and shopping. I called a friend and told her where I was in the store. I didn't buy a knife. Today I received an email promoting the knife I was watching! Why did I never see a knife online?”
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“Kim, I was listening to her call!” The answer isn't that simple, but it can explain what's actually going on.
Your digital trail
Even if Linda didn't search the knife online, her smartphone was busy collecting data. Your phone tracks your location not only through GPS but also via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals.
The woman texts over the phone. (istock)
Walmart and other retailers can track movements when they connect to store Wi-Fi or turn on Bluetooth. They know where you are standing in the store. They also know you didn't buy a knife.
The retailer sells this data to an ad network and then works with the data broker to obtain an email address. bingo. Linda received an email from the knife company. She must have started watching ads online for knives and related items.
But wait, there's more
Facebook, Instagram, Google, and Weather apps keep track of your location, even when running in the background. If you grant location access to them, they know where you are and will use that data to serve ads later.
5 minute cleanup for your phone and computer
You are secretly tracked by three settings on your phone
Throw AI into the mix
The odds will result in Linda getting the email pitch and seeing ads on social media for new cutlery, charcoal grill boards and cooking classes. This is how AI-driven advertising works. One interest (knife) is required and expands to related categories.
How to protect your privacy
There are many things that you can't control throughout this chase mess. It makes it even more important to do what you can.
The Google logo will appear on September 2, 2015 at Google Head Office in Mountain View, California. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Erase digital crumbs
Please do not log in to Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc. while shopping. The easiest way is to open a new secret or private window separate from the signed account.
Here's how to start the browser by default:
- For Chrome on a PC, create a shortcut by dragging the icon from the Start menu to the desktop. Then right-click and select Show more options > Properties. There you will see a URL string under “target”. addition -incognito Until the end.
- In Safari on your Mac, click setting > General > The safari opens in a private window.
- For Android phones, tap to hold the browser icon, select it, then select it [プライベート]Opens in a tab.
- On your iPhone, press and hold the browser icon to select it New Private Tab (For Safari) or Secret Search (For Chrome).
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It is recommended to clear cookies regularly on your mobile phone. If you've never done it, This is the step.
Manage location tracking
- Turn off location tracking for retail apps in your phone settings.
- If not in use, disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi as retailers use it to record visits.
Close-up shot of a woman using a laptop while working from home. (istock)
Adjust your ad settings
- visit Google Ads Settings Turn off ad personalization.
- Update your Facebook, Instagram, Amazon and other ad settings.
Check app permissions
- Turn off microphone access for apps such as Facebook and Google.
- Limit background app tracking in your phone settings.
When this kind of thing happens, it's a creepy feeling. Remember that this combination of retailers, advertisers and data brokers is trying to make you spend your money.
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