M2. EXERCISES 2: MICROTARGETING: YOU’RE NOT DATA; YOU’RE NOT A NUMBER
2. MICROTARGETING: YOU'RE NOT DATA; YOU'RE NOT A NUMBER
How do you beat the algorithm, escape echo chambers and get around bubble filters?
As an internet user, you switch quickly from one website to another; from social media to the e-shops you love to buy something from, or from YouTube to Tik Tok videos, every website, social media platform, or app collects information about your actions, behaviour and preferences. However, small habits can protect your privacy and increase security because you’ve probably accepted cookies when a pop-up window is displayed to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Or you have not configured your account settings when you have opened a profile in the downloaded food app to make a reservation at your favourite restaurant.
CASE STUDY 1:
Let’s examine how much personal information you share (freely) with various companies, applications or the public. Prevent your browser from collecting browsing data.
You probably feel that the Internet knows you and saves you time by taking you to places you like or recommending people who match your interests or people you could meet. But think about the following questions…
1. When was the last time you deleted your device's internet history?
Check the browser on one of your devices and answer the question. Maybe it's a good time to delete it and customise an automatic deletion from time to time through the browser settings.
Please, write your reflection here.
2. How many times did you accept cookies without finishing reading the terms and conditions or different options before clicking "accept"?
Answer this question honestly and reflect on the issue.
Go to a media outlet for the first time (e.g. BuzzFeed. news) and do the exercise of reading the cookies.
Please, write your reflection here.
3. Have you ever consulted the privacy and security conditions of any of your applications or social networks?
Answer this question honestly and reflect on this matter.
Please, write your reflection here.
* For your curiosity, click here to find out the average time people/users spend reading the terms and services of the most popular social networks.
- Facebook: 17:12 minutes
- Instagram: 9:42 minutes
- Spotify: 35:48 minutes
- Twitter: 23:30 minutes
- LinkedIn: 18:06 minutes
- Tinder: 25:54 minutes
- YouTube: 13:42 minutes
- Apple: 30:30 minutes
- Amazon: 14:12 minutes
- Zoom: 30:12 minutes
- TikTok: 31:24 minutes
- Netflix: 11:00 minutes
- Uber: 23:36 minutes
