From the link: Last year, Amazon released a tool similar to those used by some other ad networks. That tool embeds a piece of computer code known as a pixel in ads shown on other sites, and tracks how that particular ad placement leads to customers viewing a product on Amazon or buying it outright.

They know how you browse, and they use that information to target you.

When you buy it (like, the actual date of purchase). Where you live (so they can send it to you). The credit card you use (so they know which one to charge).

It's all so weird.


(ETA: Oh, "they" refers to advertisers, not Amazon. I was going off the headline)

I know it sounds ludicrous at face value. But this information can be sold or shared too. It can be hacked. Like the 10 year challenge on Facebook, you don't know how it's going to be used or what new technology it will spawn to separate you from your money.

"Share this if you care about (cancer patients/cops/the military)" posts or the "Let's show this 92 year old grandma how many likes she can get" posts that float around. I don't respond to online petitions anymore. They're all data mining ploys.

Buying online is a risk, I suppose. Doing anything online is. But you weigh that against the convenience of it. And you stay eternally vigilant, like checking your credit card statements every month, for example. You've got to pay attention. Like your mom taught you: always count your change.

Facebook shares your data, charities do, heck even the Democratic party does. I've received a shit load of e-mails from out of state candidates I've never heard of asking for campaign donations.

Not saying it's right it's just what it is.

I shop at Amazon for convenience and pricing. As long as advertising isn't intrusive or inappropriate for my needs, I don't mind.

Google knows what you search for on the Internet. A big part of Google's business is pay per click advertising. Google sells ads to businesses, based on its knowledge of your searches.

All sorts of businesses have been selling lists of their customers to other companies for many decades. Non-profits do the same thing. For example, the NRA makes part of its money by selling lists of its members to companies who use those lists to market all sorts of things.

Selling lists of consumers that target specific interests is a big business in this country. Amazon does it, too. So does your supermarket, the company that manufactured the car you drive, and just about everyone else you do business with.

The only way to avoid such things is to stop buying stuff and leaving a trail behind you of what stuff you buy. Good luck with that.