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Sirubo: Packet filtering to block Google and Facebook tracking

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Re: Sirubo: Packet filtering to block Google and Facebook tracking

#91

Post by pineconewarrior »

blakesterz wrote: post #8
marketingtech wrote: post #7

This is cool, but not super useful in 2021. Google and Facebook have already moved their tracking technologies beyond frontend network calls due to a rise in browser-level blocking (browser security policies, international regulations, AdBlock, PiHole, etc). The next generation of tracking tech relies on the backend transfer of data between a website and the ad platform, which is invisible to your own network. It als…

> The next generation of tracking tech relies on the backend transfer of server logs between a website and the ad platform, which is invisible to your own network I've not heard of this, what sites are giving logs to networks?

"Server Side GTM" is a good starting point for for relevant information

Re: Sirubo: Packet filtering to block Google and Facebook tracking

#92

Post by jklinger410 »

cycomanic wrote: post #85
jklinger410 wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone who works in ads, this is a spot-on summation of the current state of tracking. And that's without getting into how machine learning can use seemingly unrelated data points to learn more about you than you could imagine. At this point if you have even the most basic connections (US bank account, home owner, gps, insurance, a car) the more sophisticated tracking methods can still learn about you and reach y…

So how do you morally justify your work? Do you think this work is valuable? I know I sound confrontational, but I'm seriously wondering about this. In particular because the HN crowd in general has been so highly critical of most adtech, but at the same time a significant portion of people here probably works on it or for one of the companies which are behind it.

I vote with my conscious, but I work for whoever will pay me the most money.

Re: Sirubo: Packet filtering to block Google and Facebook tracking

#93

Post by fortyseven »

jklinger410 wrote: post #92
cycomanic wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So how do you morally justify your work? Do you think this work is valuable? I know I sound confrontational, but I'm seriously wondering about this. In particular because the HN crowd in general has been so highly critical of most adtech, but at the same time a significant portion of people here probably works on it or for one of the companies which are behind it.

I vote with my conscious, but I work for whoever will pay me the most money.

Yeah, that's uh... "cool".

Re: Sirubo: Packet filtering to block Google and Facebook tracking

#94

Post by jklinger410 »

NoGravitas wrote: post #87
jklinger410 wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone who works in ads, this is a spot-on summation of the current state of tracking. And that's without getting into how machine learning can use seemingly unrelated data points to learn more about you than you could imagine. At this point if you have even the most basic connections (US bank account, home owner, gps, insurance, a car) the more sophisticated tracking methods can still learn about you and reach y…

> As someone who works in ads Perhaps you should consider a career change?

I think anyone who works at an ad agency can tell you that they think about a career change all the time.

Re: Sirubo: Packet filtering to block Google and Facebook tracking

#95

Post by bgro »

marketingtech wrote: post #7

This is cool, but not super useful in 2021. Google and Facebook have already moved their tracking technologies beyond frontend network calls due to a rise in browser-level blocking (browser security policies, international regulations, AdBlock, PiHole, etc). The next generation of tracking tech relies on the backend transfer of data between a website and the ad platform, which is invisible to your own network. It als…

This is correct. To expand: things like installed extensions, window size (as well as monitor size), bandwidth and general user speed, adblockers themselves and their individual block lists, and browser are all adding to your trackability profile.

I believe you can get specific information about user's operating system (either through legitimate, direct checks or by exploiting features and using process of elimination such as X version of Chrome is only available on Mac) and of course hardware IDs.

Your IP is obviously out there as an obvious profile that can build a general picture of you in a very similar way to phone numbers. If you use a VPN, the IPs bought by that can also be profiled to narrow you down. If you’ve seen a denial message telling you to not use a VPN, this can be what’s happening.

There are also just official exploit-tier-like features constantly being added. For example, Chrome is adding the ability to see if you're idling on a page.

I've noticed some major internet sites compiling this type of information for use in, for example, permabans. Trolls have otherwise been able to use a VPN or just create a new account. This is a large driver of finding new tracking methods outside of just personalized ads.

I think a lot of this is in its relatively infant stages. I suspect it'll be 5 to 10 years before people become aware and some newsworthy incident of major abuse occurs.

Re: Sirubo: Packet filtering to block Google and Facebook tracking

#96

Post by chitowneats »

jklinger410 wrote: post #92
cycomanic wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So how do you morally justify your work? Do you think this work is valuable? I know I sound confrontational, but I'm seriously wondering about this. In particular because the HN crowd in general has been so highly critical of most adtech, but at the same time a significant portion of people here probably works on it or for one of the companies which are behind it.

I vote with my conscious, but I work for whoever will pay me the most money.

Does this mean that you would vote for a candidate who promised to impose meaningful regulations on your industry? Even if that meant harming a company you work for / may have equity in? Is there some other solution to this tracking proliferation?

My question assumes you believe the work your industry is doing is unethical but that seems to be implied by your posts.

Re: Sirubo: Packet filtering to block Google and Facebook tracking

#97

Post by [deleted] »

jklinger410 wrote: post #92
cycomanic wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So how do you morally justify your work? Do you think this work is valuable? I know I sound confrontational, but I'm seriously wondering about this. In particular because the HN crowd in general has been so highly critical of most adtech, but at the same time a significant portion of people here probably works on it or for one of the companies which are behind it.

I vote with my conscious, but I work for whoever will pay me the most money.

[deleted]

Re: Sirubo: Packet filtering to block Google and Facebook tracking

#98

Post by jklinger410 »

fortyseven wrote: post #93
jklinger410 wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I vote with my conscious, but I work for whoever will pay me the most money.

Yeah, that's uh... "cool".

Not everyone can just "choose" what field they want to be in. If I got to choose what I did every day, I'd be a writer or a musician. No ethical concerns there.

Re: Sirubo: Packet filtering to block Google and Facebook tracking

#99

Post by jklinger410 »

chitowneats wrote: post #96
jklinger410 wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I vote with my conscious, but I work for whoever will pay me the most money.

Does this mean that you would vote for a candidate who promised to impose meaningful regulations on your industry? Even if that meant harming a company you work for / may have equity in? Is there some other solution to this tracking proliferation? My question assumes you believe the work your industry is doing is unethical but that seems to be implied by your posts.

Absolutely. I'm not an owner and I don't have any equity.

Re: Sirubo: Packet filtering to block Google and Facebook tracking

#100

Post by umeshunni »

deeblering4 wrote: post #59
DrBazza wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Since I've been "reassured" that we're not being listened to by smart speakers, I can only assume that familial links i.e. the 'facebook graph', are also exploited by ad companies now as well. Anec-data: visiting the in-laws in a different part of the country, so my device and location is 'known' to have geographically moved by tracking, they searched for garages and glazing. We return home, and every advert is for g…

What reassurances have you had about not being listened to? I keep cam/mic access switched off a lot for this reason, and I've only seen generic denials/refusals that it is or could happen but nothing concrete, much like the pre-snowden outlook towards internet surveillance.

Have you considered that they might be tracking your thoughts and speech through microchips they implanted in your during your Covid vaccination? /s
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