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Comcast-Funded Civil Rights Groups Claim Low-Income People Want Ads Over Privacy

theintercept.com

11–20 of 72 posts

Re: Comcast-Funded Civil Rights Groups Claim Low-Income People Want Ads Over Privacy

#11
post #9
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's considered "spray and pray" today. Today advertisers want data, data, data, and micro-targeting is everything. The entire advertising industry has become something akin to a private signals intelligence agency.

Today? For the past 20 years I've been hearing how data collection will enable advertisers to precisely target ads and that ads would go from being a nuisance to being useful. It's not working very well. How much more data do they need to collect before it starts working?

This is not the fault of the platform, but the advertiser.

When you see an ad that's too tailored most people just get scared anyway.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Re: Comcast-Funded Civil Rights Groups Claim Low-Income People Want Ads Over Privacy

#12
post #9
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's considered "spray and pray" today. Today advertisers want data, data, data, and micro-targeting is everything. The entire advertising industry has become something akin to a private signals intelligence agency.

Today? For the past 20 years I've been hearing how data collection will enable advertisers to precisely target ads and that ads would go from being a nuisance to being useful. It's not working very well. How much more data do they need to collect before it starts working?

They know what product I'm going to buy... after I've bought it. They've almost got it right; all they need is a time machine.

Re: Comcast-Funded Civil Rights Groups Claim Low-Income People Want Ads Over Privacy

#16
This idea makes sense, empirically. There is a cost to provide internet, and low-income individuals may be more willing to provide a combination of valuable assets (cash & data), while higher income individuals would be willing to provide more cash in exchange for no data.

Regardless, the end payment is the same, it's just a question about how you want to pay.

Edit: For those who think this may be a money grab, remember that the government is getting tax revenue out of the profits ISPs make from monetizing your data. While the ethics of this are debatable, the alternative is zero additional government revenue. So the ethics of privacy need to be weighed against the ethics of providing programs for communities that could be beneficial.

Re: Comcast-Funded Civil Rights Groups Claim Low-Income People Want Ads Over Privacy

#17
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Today? For the past 20 years I've been hearing how data collection will enable advertisers to precisely target ads and that ads would go from being a nuisance to being useful. It's not working very well. How much more data do they need to collect before it starts working?

This is not the fault of the platform, but the advertiser. When you see an ad that's too tailored most people just get scared anyway. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

I don't believe that for a second.

I've seen relevant ads beside search results on Google, but that doesn't really take a lot of magic to figure out that when I search for "Aeropress", I'm interested in coffee.

Ads in podcasts have been somewhat effective as well. I use Blue Apron, I like Audible, I've checked out Squarespace, I bought a Casper dog bed. AFAIK, none of the podcasts know anything about me, but they do know generally who their audience is.

Re: Comcast-Funded Civil Rights Groups Claim Low-Income People Want Ads Over Privacy

#18

This idea makes sense, empirically. There is a cost to provide internet, and low-income individuals may be more willing to provide a combination of valuable assets (cash & data), while higher income individuals would be willing to provide more cash in exchange for no data. Regardless, the end payment is the same, it's just a question about how you want to pay. Edit: For those who think this may be a money grab, remem…

If they provide a decent free connection (at least 10/2), and support it buy collecting your data, then fine. But to force it on people who pay for a connection makes zero sense.

Re: Comcast-Funded Civil Rights Groups Claim Low-Income People Want Ads Over Privacy

#19

This idea makes sense, empirically. There is a cost to provide internet, and low-income individuals may be more willing to provide a combination of valuable assets (cash & data), while higher income individuals would be willing to provide more cash in exchange for no data. Regardless, the end payment is the same, it's just a question about how you want to pay. Edit: For those who think this may be a money grab, remem…

Isps already have an obligation to run lines to low income areas and are required to offer lowered income / lower speed tiers. This just subsidises it so that they make more money from another source.

Re: Comcast-Funded Civil Rights Groups Claim Low-Income People Want Ads Over Privacy

#20
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Today? For the past 20 years I've been hearing how data collection will enable advertisers to precisely target ads and that ads would go from being a nuisance to being useful. It's not working very well. How much more data do they need to collect before it starts working?

They know what product I'm going to buy... after I've bought it. They've almost got it right; all they need is a time machine.

I love it when I've bought jewelry for my wife and every damned ad is for the same jewelry store. Hard enough hiding a gift, now I have to hide my browser like I'm sneaking around watching porn.
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