Facebook uses location data to learn where you live and where you go. For some, this location-based targeting might be fine since it serves them relevant ads.
Thanks, I hate it.
Google’s new popup will further weaken Facebook’s advertisement business
91–100 of 221 posts
Re: Google’s new popup will further weaken Facebook’s advertisement business
#92Whenever I read articles like this, I get more and more horrified. I mean, I know that adtech spy on us a lot, but I didn't knew for example that using Bluetooth while the app is shut down was possible. Makes me very wary even of dumbphones, for example I bought a dumbphone recently, and yet it came with Facebook and Google Assistant both pre-installed.
Get an iPhone. Whatever else you may think of them, Apple is deliberately working to prevent this sort of crap from happening without your knowledge and consent.
The beacon technology that uses bluetooth when apps are off originated with Apple: https://developer.apple.com/ibeacon/
Re: Google’s new popup will further weaken Facebook’s advertisement business
#93Earlier quoted context omitted.
There's a reason everybody wants you to install their app instead of just using their website, there's much more opportunity of tracking.
There's several reasons why everyone wants you to install the app, some of which aren't sketchy.
What are some of the none sketchy reasons for "everyone" wanting us to use their apps. Like for major companies, where the service is deliverable through a website, what benefits does the user get from an app?
I can see why GPS based apps, or camera apps with filters, or networking apps 'need' to be installed apps (I don't know if an easy way to do GPS through a browser; speed and fast access to storage) ... but Amazon, Reddit, newspapers, ... what am I gaining?
Genuine question as a one time web dev I've always considered web sites written as an app, shipped with a browser, to be a negative. What am I missing out on?
Re: Google’s new popup will further weaken Facebook’s advertisement business
#94Earlier quoted context omitted.
There's several reasons why everyone wants you to install the app, some of which aren't sketchy.
What are some of the none sketchy reasons for "everyone" wanting us to use their apps. Like for major companies, where the service is deliverable through a website, what benefits does the user get from an app? I can see why GPS based apps, or camera apps with filters, or networking apps 'need' to be installed apps (I don't know if an easy way to do GPS through a browser; speed and fast access to storage) ... but Amaz…
Easy access to push notifications (which can be sketchy, but doesn't have to be) and believe it or not: Letting users put a shortcut on their homescreen. Sure, you can place a shortcut to a PWA in the Chrome browser but most users won't be configuring that, even if you guide them through it.
Re: Google’s new popup will further weaken Facebook’s advertisement business
#95Earlier quoted context omitted.
There's several reasons why everyone wants you to install the app, some of which aren't sketchy.
> some of which aren't sketchy I am as cynical about forcing apps down user's throats as anyone (Reddit, I'm looking at you), but the downvotes are a bit too much when this is a perfectly reasonable point, no? Some cases for apps are perfectly legitimate, maybe the access to the phone APIs and the native experience is much better for a given product or service. I'm a firm believer in PWAs but as it stands I really pr…
Without examples I think the downvotes are justified, note they said there are reasons and suggested that those reasons are widely applied. Which is different to 'there could be reasons' and 'it would be good if everyone moved to using those aspects that give justified benefits'.
The expectation is 'everyone wants you to use their app so they can track and advertise better' and the parent basically said 'nuh-uh'. We need more to be able to consider it substantive and benefiting the conversation, IMO.
Re: Google’s new popup will further weaken Facebook’s advertisement business
#96Earlier quoted context omitted.
I get pop ups from sites all the time asking me to try their site, every darn time I visit. Mai it stuff like Reddit, Imgur, most news sites. I’ve tried the apps and they’re worse. I’m not sure there’s any explanation other than more ad/data revenue. Are there apps that give superior experience than web sites nowadays? Even not accounting for privacy, the apps are generally just shittier with less functionality. I us…
Our experiences overwhelming align but one counter example is Discord. The chess.com native client is also reasonable.
There are some apps that provide some functionality that genuinely works best and I use the Discord mobile app. Of course, I didn’t instal it based on the pop ups.
Similar, there’s quite a few chat/video apps and games where apps make sense. And none of them prompted me to download the app or show lies like “better in our app” crap.
Re: Google’s new popup will further weaken Facebook’s advertisement business
#97Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I didn't knew for example that using Bluetooth while the app is shut down was possible How did you think for example notifications were pushed to Bluetooth smart watches?
You are assuming they were aware of that capability.
Not OP: I have a fit band but it only gets notifications if Bluetooth is on. I'd be (ie, I am) surprised to find you couldn't turn Bluetooth off and that they purposefully provide a switch that doesn't work so they can fool you to thinking you can turn it off.
Presumably only Android works like this?
Re: Google’s new popup will further weaken Facebook’s advertisement business
#98Earlier quoted context omitted.
Get an iPhone. Whatever else you may think of them, Apple is deliberately working to prevent this sort of crap from happening without your knowledge and consent.
They've also taken a hardline stance against right to repair, which is a deal breaker for a lot of HN. Unfortunately, there aren't many modern options for people who care about both owning their devices and not being spied on by them.
The right to repair is also the right to steal, refurbish the stolen good and resell. Maybe that is how Apple squashed the theft market for Apple products, but no-one is afraid on the street anymore of holding their iPhone carelessly.
Re: Google’s new popup will further weaken Facebook’s advertisement business
#99Earlier quoted context omitted.
Going slightly tangential: It seems like there are a lot more political activists working at Google. It also seems likely that this will backfire in a spectacular way at some point. The risk here is politically strategic data leaks of individual user data - not Cambridge Analytica-like situations. Could be blackmail material on a few key people, or perhaps a giant data leak on millions of people from the "enemy side"…
What is not dangerous ?
Wrong question.
Re: Google’s new popup will further weaken Facebook’s advertisement business
#100Whenever I read articles like this, I get more and more horrified. I mean, I know that adtech spy on us a lot, but I didn't knew for example that using Bluetooth while the app is shut down was possible. Makes me very wary even of dumbphones, for example I bought a dumbphone recently, and yet it came with Facebook and Google Assistant both pre-installed.
There's a reason everybody wants you to install their app instead of just using their website, there's much more opportunity of tracking.
Relevant xkcd https://xkcd.com/1174/