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PayPal is planning an ad business using data on its shoppers

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Re: PayPal is planning an ad business using data on its shoppers

#12
post #4

PayPal is the last of my "dirty internet habits" that I've been whittling down. I think this provides me with more than enough motivation to finally get rid of it entirely.

I haven't put any effort in whittling down my use of PayPal, but my usage has dropped precipitously anyway, with online merchants adopting Shopify or Stripe, or consolidating to large marketplaces.

Re: PayPal is planning an ad business using data on its shoppers

#13
post #5

Before you say "another reason to stop using Paypal", keep in mind that credit card companies routinely share purchase data with online advertising companies. This is so that Google and others can tie online impressions to brick-and-mortar purchases, among other things. Paypal is playing catch-up.

It's worth noting that you can opt out of that too. You should have received a privacy disclosure with every credit card you've opened containing instructions on how to opt out. Usually you have to make a phone call - you won't find the option in your online banking portal.

Re: PayPal is planning an ad business using data on its shoppers

#14
post #5

Before you say "another reason to stop using Paypal", keep in mind that credit card companies routinely share purchase data with online advertising companies. This is so that Google and others can tie online impressions to brick-and-mortar purchases, among other things. Paypal is playing catch-up.

I thought that was only if you accept a "points plan" of some sort, which, of course we all do. :-/ Aeroplan is a great example of this too. No one ever asks what they are giving up for aeroplan. The answer is your entire purchase history!

People often focus on how the internet allows cross-site tracking and other privacy invasions, but generally don't get vocal about things like credit cards and points plans that have done this since time before the internet!

Re: PayPal is planning an ad business using data on its shoppers

#15
post #11
post #4

PayPal is the last of my "dirty internet habits" that I've been whittling down. I think this provides me with more than enough motivation to finally get rid of it entirely.

What are you going to replace it with for internet purchases?

I've already dramatically reduced the amount of stuff I buy online. For things I have to buy online, I can just use one-time-use cards.

Re: PayPal is planning an ad business using data on its shoppers

#18
post #15
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What are you going to replace it with for internet purchases?

I've already dramatically reduced the amount of stuff I buy online. For things I have to buy online, I can just use one-time-use cards.

Like store bought gift cards, or an online service? If the latter, you're just shofting your trust somewhere else (which may be what you want, but it's worth making that explicitly understood).
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