Linda recently called my national radio show with a question that overwhelmed my inbox. Clearly, many of you have experienced a similar creepy moment.
“I bought at Walmart yesterday, looking at the kitchen knives. I called my friend and told her where I was in the store. I didn’t buy knives. Advertising E -Ap The knives I watched! How did it happen? I never watched knives on the net. “
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I hear you, “Kim, her phone listened!” The answer is not so simple, but I can explain what is really going on.
Your digital mark
Even if Linda never searched her knife knives, her smartphone was busy collecting data. Your phone follows your location, not only through GPS, but Also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals.
The woman is painted on her phone. (East)
If you connected with a Wi-Fi store or entered with Bluetooth, Walmart and other merchants can track your movements. They know where you are standing at the store. They also know you didn’t buy knives.
Merchants sell this information to the advertising networks that then work with the data brokerage to get your e -Štust address. Bingo. Linda got an E -stain from a knife company. I bet she also started seeing ads for knives and related items online.
But wait, there are more
Facebook, Instagram, Google and Weather Apps follow your location, even when they are running in the background. If you have approved access to the location, they know where you are, and later use these advertising information.
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Throw AI in the mixture
The odds are that Linda will now get the fields e -stunts and see ads on social networks for new cutlery, charcuterie and cooking class panels. This is How Ai-Veded Advertising works. One interest (kitchen knives) is needed and extends it into related categories.
How to protect your privacy
There is a lot that you cannot control throughout this monitoring clutter. Because of this, it is even more important to do what you can.
The Google Logotype is shown at Google 2. September 2015 at Mountain View, California. (Photo Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Delete your digital bread crumbs
Don’t stay logged in to GoogleFacebook, Amazon, etc., while buying. The easiest way is to open a new incognito or private window that is separated from the account you have signed.
Here’s how to start a browser in incognito mode:
- For Chrome on your computer, pull the icon from the starter menu to the desktop to create a shortcut. Then right -sided the mouse button and select Show more options > Properties. There you will see a series of URL under “Target”. Add -incognito to the end.
- On the Safari for MAC, click Settings > General > Safari opens with a private window.
- For Android phones tap and hold the browser icon and then select Open on a private card.
- Press and hold your browser icon on the iPhone and select New private card (for safari) or Incognito search (for chrome).
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I recommend regular cookie cleaning on your phone. If you never did it, Here’s a step.
The management of the location monitoring
- Turn off track monitoring for retail apps in your phone settings.
- Disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not used.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi, as traders use it to log in your visit.
Closely a woman who uses a laptop while working at home. (East)
Adjust the advertisement settings
- Visit Google Ad settings exclude advertising ads.
- Update advertisements on Facebook, Instagram, Amazon and others.
Inspect the application permits
- Turn off access microphone for apps like Facebook and Google.
- Limit the tracking of applications in the background in your phone settings.
It’s a creepy feeling when things like that happens. Remember, this combination of traders, advertisers and data intermediaries is trying to make you spend money.
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