The other day I was checking my gmail account. I had just read an e- mail from a friend and in the e mail they talked about watching Full House on tv. After I read the e- mail I went back to my inbox and noticed an add for Jesse and the Rippers t shirts. I was freaked out! Does google read my mind now? I sent an e- mail to the friend who was watching Full House ( since I decieded to write about this I'm wishing a much cooler show was the subject of the e- mail!). They immediatly responded with yes google scans your e- mails so they can post ads that might interest you it was the term of use you signed.
Hmm the terms of use I signed . I remember this I checked yes I agree without reading a word of it. In fact I do this often. I always just assume I have no choice because I want to use the service and if I don't agree I can't use the service. I have have been limiting my own IF!
From now on I'm going to make sure I read before I check accept. I'm also going to investigate my options if I do not agree.
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ReplyDeleteMegan and Gretchen,
ReplyDeleteI think that this consumer stuff is especially creepy. I think during class last week someone mentioned that people see this kind of thing as a service that we receive, which seems strange, but it is true. Have either of you ever read the YA book Feed by MT Anderson? In it, everyone who's affluent enough to afford it gets this technology installed in their brains by which they are fed the Internet. Their thoughts are monitored constantly so that, if they think something like "gee, the sky is a pretty color of blue today," they get ads for sky blue sweaters on sale now at the Gap. It is a totally creepy premise and a great book.
Shellie
Shellie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book suggestion. I haven't read it & really want to now! Its crazy to think of receiving ads because of what I think about. I already buy too many products that are pretty in the store!
Megan
It was so creepy to hear of your tale last week, Megan, and I've been thinking about it ever since. I tend to glance at EULAs, sometimes more carefully than others. Sometimes they seem to go on forever. I'm pretty good about unchecking boxes if the default is opt in.
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