Google spying on us

[Ripple]

@spitfire

Yes Ripple, we are all probably on someone’s or somethings unstaged “Gogglebox

Smile you are on camera

[spitfire]

I just need a name and contact number for my Agent

[Azz]

@Supernatural

Any of you gone through that crap here in UK? Seriously, I’m fed up of this. I’ve just celebrated a birthday this past Friday. I thought the golden years were supposed to be easier than this…

A little while ago they changed it so that you need to log-in to view age restricted videos, however sometimes if you copy the video URL and post it in a thread on a forum like this, it bypasses the need to log-in. Feel free to do that in our Testing Section

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In terms of the OP, it’s not just Google it’s all of the large tech companies - FB is probably the worst, and now combined with the power of machine learning/AI, I think all this power in their hands is quite dangerous - because they can make very good calculations on what/how something may influence you. Whether that’s purchasing decisions or other more serious stuff relating to politics etc.

This is part of the reason the EU brought in tighter cookie controls, however it was not executed very well, so most people just click accept because that’s much easier than a pop-up almost every time you visit! The sites basically annoy you with frequent notices to force you to click the option they want you to!

It’s not just cookies tho, many apps brazenly sell your data! Even apps like the most popular dating app! Imagine all of your private conversations and other interactions being bought by your employer, or your doctor or consultant, or some other person or company you never intended to know so much about you!

Even sites that do not require you to register are a risk - because they basically identify you via your IP address. So say you log in to FB, well then they have your IP address, and then you go and visit some website or article, well FB, if they are working with/purchasing data from that site know you visited that site! This is what apps like that can use to build a psychological profile.

This is one of the reasons I have grown increasingly unhappy with us placing Google ads on these forums and have been moving away from them on many of the forums I admin

[spitfire]

Let’s start spying on Google, just for a Laff

[OldGreyFox]

@Azz

Imagine all of your private conversations and other interactions being bought by your employer, or your doctor or consultant, or some other person or company you never intended to know so much about you!

Even sites that do not require you to register are a risk - because they basically identify you via your IP address. So say you log in to FB, well then they have your IP address, and then you go and visit some website or article, well FB, if they are working with/purchasing data from that site know you visited that site! This is what apps like that can use to build a psychological profile.

Good heavens! I’m in so much trouble…

[Psmith]

If they find something interesting about me,I’d like to know what it is.

[Minx]

Well, I’d say Google will spy on you with horizontals instead of verticals…

[spitfire]

@OldGreyFox

Good heavens! I’m in so much trouble…

No your not, at your age and physical limitations, you are no longer employable

[Psmith]

That is so ageist and on an old fogey’s forum too.
OGF has got many years of rebellion in him yet.

[spitfire]

I don’t mind Google spying, lets hope it don’t start blackmailing.

[Psmith]

That is not the wish of an innocent man

[spitfire]

Quite!