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FTC commissioner met with Apple regarding Facebook’s iOS 14 complaints

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Re: FTC commissioner met with Apple regarding Facebook’s iOS 14 complaints

#41

Post by est31 »

akarma wrote: post #33
ldrndll wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Careful. I opened a Facebook account to help my wife with administering FB ads for her business. Everything was fine, until I went through and locked down my privacy settings, and within 24 hours my account got suspended.I had to provide a phone number to unlock my account. Within a day or two it got suspended again. This time I had to upload a photo to unlock it. The cynic in me believes that this was just so that t…

The most ridiculous part of Facebook’s anti-privacy crusade is that FB allows its employees to “lock their account,” making absolutely all information private / only visible to friends, even cover photos. FB’s website claims the feature is “only available in some countries and on some devices,” but it’s BS, it’s actually an easy opt-in for employees. It shows that FB understands the need for privacy, but only if you’…

To be fair, from what I heard you need to have a facebook account in order to work there.

Re: FTC commissioner met with Apple regarding Facebook’s iOS 14 complaints

#42

Post by mikeyouse »

jedberg wrote: post #35
na85 wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Jedberg was (is?) an administrator at reddit which is an ad-supported business. He has a financial incentive to like advertising.

Heh, it's funny you mention that. For the longest time I refused to run Adblock because it felt hypocritical. But eventually the experience got so bad I relented. I wouldn't say I have an incentive for internet ads to be successful. From the very beginning I advocated for revenue streams other than ads. And reddit is fairly diversified. I don't work there anymore anyway. I guess I just don't mind advertising if done…

Courteous of you to point out that for about the same length of time you worked for Reddit, you worked for Netflix - so are you really a shill for "big subscription"? I think the world needs to know (/s)

Re: FTC commissioner met with Apple regarding Facebook’s iOS 14 complaints

#43

Post by qwertox »

GeekyBear wrote: post #39
jedberg wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm fine, thanks. :) The purpose of ads is to inform people of things they wouldn't otherwise know about. In that regard, I appreciate good ads that tell me about things I would want to know about and didn't already. For example, some of the ads I get are for live shows (back in the before times). These are live shows that I enjoy going to, but would never have known about, because I don't know where to look for them…

The reality of ads is that you can target them via the content of the page without all that reprehensible spying on people. It's just less profitable.

This is specially true for any kind of news websites or blogs, where it's obvious what content a specific URL contains. The fact alone that a visitor is on that page makes him the best candidate for a targeted ad which refers to the content of the page.

No need to have over a dozen of trackers on that page so that advertisers create a profile of you.

Re: FTC commissioner met with Apple regarding Facebook’s iOS 14 complaints

#44

Post by putlake »

wizzwizz4 wrote: post #21
jedberg wrote: post #10

I was recently met with a new popup in the Instagram app, asking me to allow it to track me across applications. I actually said yes, because I get great targeted ads in Instagram and Facebook. I've clicked on multiple ads and actually even made purchases of things that I didn't know about that looked interesting. But the important part is that I do it willingly. I'm glad they were forced to ask -- not everyone is ok…

Would you pay a small amount for those ads?

OP is already paying for them by buying the products they sell.

Re: FTC commissioner met with Apple regarding Facebook’s iOS 14 complaints

#45

Post by switch007 »

jedberg wrote: post #37
Spooky23 wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you ok? I’ve never heard any anyone this thrilled about an ad experience in my life.

I'm fine, thanks. :) The purpose of ads is to inform people of things they wouldn't otherwise know about. In that regard, I appreciate good ads that tell me about things I would want to know about and didn't already. For example, some of the ads I get are for live shows (back in the before times). These are live shows that I enjoy going to, but would never have known about, because I don't know where to look for them…

> The purpose of ads is to inform people of things they wouldn't otherwise know about

That's cute. I've never seen an ad for a wikipedia page though.

The real purpose of ads is to convince people to buy things that they otherwise might not have, so that companies can make a profit.

Take the https://www.theguardian.com/. I've got adverts for:

- an electric toothbrush. I already have one. But surely the new model is better!11!

- London apartments. I live 170 miles away and have no desire ever to live in London. But maybe I should because London is so amazing!11!!

- Remitly ("send money to India online"). I do not know anyone in India and have no need to send money there.

- "70% off" "Store Clothing", whatever the hell that is. I have plenty of clothes. But maybe I need more and to be more fashionable!11!!

Re: FTC commissioner met with Apple regarding Facebook’s iOS 14 complaints

#46

Post by foolfoolz »

jedberg wrote: post #10

I was recently met with a new popup in the Instagram app, asking me to allow it to track me across applications. I actually said yes, because I get great targeted ads in Instagram and Facebook. I've clicked on multiple ads and actually even made purchases of things that I didn't know about that looked interesting. But the important part is that I do it willingly. I'm glad they were forced to ask -- not everyone is ok…

this is the weirdest take on ads i’ve ever heard. sounds like “i have too much money and enjoy when people show me new ways of spending it”

Re: FTC commissioner met with Apple regarding Facebook’s iOS 14 complaints

#47

Post by jedberg »

foolfoolz wrote: post #46
jedberg wrote: post #10

I was recently met with a new popup in the Instagram app, asking me to allow it to track me across applications. I actually said yes, because I get great targeted ads in Instagram and Facebook. I've clicked on multiple ads and actually even made purchases of things that I didn't know about that looked interesting. But the important part is that I do it willingly. I'm glad they were forced to ask -- not everyone is ok…

this is the weirdest take on ads i’ve ever heard. sounds like “i have too much money and enjoy when people show me new ways of spending it”

The purpose of ads is to inform people of things they wouldn't otherwise know about. In that regard, I appreciate good ads that tell me about things I would want to know about and didn't already.

Re: FTC commissioner met with Apple regarding Facebook’s iOS 14 complaints

#48

Post by jedberg »

switch007 wrote: post #45
jedberg wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm fine, thanks. :) The purpose of ads is to inform people of things they wouldn't otherwise know about. In that regard, I appreciate good ads that tell me about things I would want to know about and didn't already. For example, some of the ads I get are for live shows (back in the before times). These are live shows that I enjoy going to, but would never have known about, because I don't know where to look for them…

> The purpose of ads is to inform people of things they wouldn't otherwise know about That's cute. I've never seen an ad for a wikipedia page though. The real purpose of ads is to convince people to buy things that they otherwise might not have, so that companies can make a profit. Take the https://www.theguardian.com/ . I've got adverts for: - an electric toothbrush. I already have one. But surely the new model is b…

The example I gave elsewhere are ads for live shows (back when that was a thing). I like live shows and sometimes the ads are the only way I learn about new ones.

Re: FTC commissioner met with Apple regarding Facebook’s iOS 14 complaints

#49

Post by catlifeonmars »

Spooky23 wrote: post #28
jedberg wrote: post #10

I was recently met with a new popup in the Instagram app, asking me to allow it to track me across applications. I actually said yes, because I get great targeted ads in Instagram and Facebook. I've clicked on multiple ads and actually even made purchases of things that I didn't know about that looked interesting. But the important part is that I do it willingly. I'm glad they were forced to ask -- not everyone is ok…

Are you ok? I’ve never heard any anyone this thrilled about an ad experience in my life.

Instagram is actually pretty good at displaying only ads for things I’m interested in. Maybe I’m an easy mark, but it doesn’t really bother me, and occasionally I’ll buy something. I’ve also had the opposite experience on other platforms, where the targeting is shit and the ads make me stop using a product/app/site.

I think this is great. By putting tracking in the control of the user, the user can decide if they want shitty, generic ads or targeted relevant ads. What’s missing now is a built in ad blocker for iOS.

Re: FTC commissioner met with Apple regarding Facebook’s iOS 14 complaints

#50

Post by elliekelly »

snapetom wrote: post #14
baybal2 wrote: post #6

What business does FTC has with internet advertising?

In case anyone is thinking the FTC is sticking its nose where it doesn't belong, the article doesn't illustrate that. It seems like the FTC basically came in and asked Apple "What's going on here?" All was apparently well when Apple doubled down on their position after that FTC meeting. The title is a bit click-baitey.

The FTC’s principal purpose is consumer protection and preventing unfair/deceptive business practices. Facebook isn’t a consumer and Facebook’s principal business is antithetical to the FTC’s mission. So while they certainly have jurisdiction over advertising they really ought not be acting on behalf of facebook in any meaningful way. Even to the extent consumer interests align with facebooks (I’m skeptical) the appearance of impropriety by having this meeting far outweighs any potential consumer benefit.
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