Is there no privacy?

[anotheoldgit]

Isn't it concerning to see some of one's recent google searches for products, when adverts for similar items pop up from time to time on AnswerBank?

Is this all part of the recent 'cookies' affair, and how does one stop it?

Would 'not allowing cookies' work or would it also affect other things?

[ChuckFickens]

The cookie policy has changed nothing to do with this. (apart from bringing cookies to peoples attention), targeted advertising has been going on for years.

Could you detail exactly which part of your privacy has been compromised and to whom?

[jno]

that's how Google ads work. Search for something on Google and it will show you relevant ads, not just on Google itself, it seems, but on companies like AB that take ads from them.

[WyeDyed]

With Firefox, if you go to Options - Options - Privacy you can check a box saying "Ask Website Not to Track Me"
This will stop most sites

[jno]

Tools - Options - Privacy

[Ellipsis]

> How does one stop it?

Visit https://www.google.com/settings/ads/onweb
Click "Opt out" on the left
Read the page there to make sure you really want to opt out
If you do, click the "Opt out" button

You'll need to do this on each browser that you use. Also, if you delete cookies, you may need to do it again (as the fact that you've opted out is stored in a cookie on the browser) ...

[ChuckFickens]

But where is the privacy problem?

A cookie on your computer identifies itself as cookie number 1573d254f3521d, google stores information on what searches the browser with cookie number 1573d254f3521d has performed, then when you go to a site with adverts the cookie identifies itself as cookie number 1573d254f3521d again, the advert server does a quick check against searches recorded against that cookie and displays adverts that relate to those searches.

There is personal information stored about you on googles servers or anyway to link you personally to the information stored about against the cookie number on your computer.

So I fail to see what the privacy issue is here? if you're that worried about it then I suggest you cut up all your credit cards, bank cards and store loyalty cards because they store far far more personal information about you.

So I'll ask again, where is the privacy problem?

[ChuckFickens]

There is *NO* personal information stored....

[Ellipsis]

Chuck, if you share a PC with someone, and they are seeing ads for [insert embarrassing or incriminating product/service here], they may wonder what you've been searching for ...

[ChuckFickens]

If you're sharing a computer with someone and each person hasn't got their own user login then you can check the browsing history, the temporary internet files and probably the search and form completion history too. so targeted advertising is only one of many ways a user on a shared user account could see information about you.

If anyone is that paranoid about it then sharing a computer account would be a no no for plenty of other, more relevant, reasons.

[Ellipsis]

Agreed. Just saying ... ;)

[pdq1]

A similar question appeared on AB recently and judging by the comments most agreed with you. However the AB Editor quipped in and said it is ABs lifeline and they require the revenue to keep the site going.

[AB Editor]

Which is true.

More importantly. Do you want adverts for something you're at least vaguely interested in, or randomly generated ones which you almost certainly aren't?

[joggerjayne]

I think more information is stored about your personal habits if youhave a supermarket loyalty card. Every time a Tesco checkout person says

"Do you have a Club Card?"

... what they are really asking is ...

"Could our database please make a note of what you bought, and where, and when, and how often you've bought it before, and check if there's anything that you didn't buy that you do normally, and how much you spent, and which bank card you are using to pay, so that we can add to the profile we hold on you, which tells us where you are most days, and can predict your shopping habits for next month before you even write your list."

"By the way, if you would also take one of our store credit cards, then we will always know where you are every time you use it, which is particularly useful if you are abroad, or somewhere a long way from your house."

And anyone who thinks that big organisations don't do sneaky stuff might want to check out where Bob Diamond has been spending the past few days.

[Maydup]

Believe it of not I would actually prefer to see more relevant ads. Its only computer generating info to computer and nothing "personal" about it. I'm sick of zulily - what is that? kids clothes? I have no kids. And sick of "look younger" ads, I don't look anything like her! And as for "Late night karaoke" who thinks I'm interested in that?!

[ChuckFickens]

Will you be giving us a quick tune later, Madup?

[Maydup]

^^^ that's the definition of Marketing JJ. Everyone does it, banks, cinemas, retailer, charities and on line traders.

[joggerjayne]

Oh, yay ... are we having a karaoke party.

Can I shotgun "What You Waiting For" and "Hung Up", please?

[Maydup]

Now Chuck, you're just trying to get me to click on that ad, I know your sort!

[ChuckFickens]

you can opt out of the targeting adverts in a lot of cases..

http://www.aboutads.info/choices/

It takes a few minutes to run but once it has it will tell you who is currently tracking your habits online, if you then select all or some of the tick boxes and click submit your choices you can be opted out from those companies.

Personally I wouldn't bother though, especially as the companies that will subscribe to this service aren't the ones to be worried about at all because they'll be the ones operating within the regulations anyhow.

[anotheoldgit]

Thank you for all your interesting answers, but Chuck you seemed to have got a little hot under the collar over this.

No one is paranoid, it just seemed strange that adverts were popping up about various garden products that I had recently searched for, and I can't remember a time when this had happened before.

My headline was just addressing my concerns, but perhaps it was a little too sensational for you, perhaps that's what comes of reading the Daily Mail web site. :0)