Paphos People

A few days ago I was discussing shopping with my daughter. We were both standing in my kitchen. We mention that we must remember Weetabix and a reasonably obscure brand of dog treats. Suddenly, today, as I scroll through the Daily Mail I am faced with a veritable plethora of Google ads for - you've guessed it - Weetabix and this pack of dog treats.

I have also opted out of any form of personalised ads and have never bought either product online, nor have I taken photos or, to my knowledge, discussed the items on the phone or social media.

Is it paranoia, or is Big Brother listing through my phone even when the microphone should be switched off?

It happens and we are being watched and listened to more than we know it.

I was in my office one day and some colleagues were talking about the dentist. Without any prompting one of their watches piped up an said “here is a list of dentists near to you”.

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Daz

Do you have one of those Amazon 'ALEXA' devices?

Spot on 'Old Twister'

You smart devices ARE listening to you

https://www.consumerwatchdog.org/privacy-technology/how-google-and-amazon-are-spying-you

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/26/smart-talking-are-our-devices-threatening-our-privacy

https://www.foxnews.com/tech/youre-not-paranoid-your-phone-really-is-listening-in

We don't have any of the 'home assistants' or even 'smart' phones

Our most annoying thing is when we look at something on Amazon then the next day we get a load of emails from them with 'recommendations' for 'similar' items

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Dave
Moira And Dave

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

Yes you are being watched and there is not much you can do about it, well maybe you can but you must remember to do it as i will explain.

Firstly Google Chrome and Internet explorer (I cannot say what other platforms are like I only have Google) use what they call targeted marketing based upon your search history, in addition if you look at lets say Marks & Spencer they have algorithms linked to Google which again save your data and link it, this is also the case with Twitter, Facebook and the other social media sites.

Now how to stop it easy - oh and by the way Google say you can control your ads by using your privacy button - WRONG not all of it is controllable, also they use cookies to track you, the EU made that illegal last year, but companies have got round that by asking to accept cookies before you access their site, if you say no you will find some sites do not work properly.

Sorry got sidetracked - if using Google Chrome - look at your header bar and on the top right hand side there are three dots click on it and a drop down box appears. Third item down it says new incognito window, click on that and a black screen appears and it say you have gone incognito, look at the top left click on google and a new window pops up, it will ask you to review the privacy reminder, do that then hey presto use Google as normal and no adverts.

Sorry for the long reply, anyone has any problems doing this just ask though I am sure some folk over there will help

No. I would never use anything like that.

The only thing that could have listened in is my phone and I have never activated any of the voice apps on my phone, nor would I use the digital assistant.

We were all sitting together discussing the world, as you do, when I said "There was a time when we thought the Government would one day be able to spy on our every word and deed"

My how I, my family and Alexa laughed at the absurdity.

Unplugging will reduce big brother's access to your life. We have a Windows xp computer running for 10years without error ! It isn't and has NEVER been connected to the internet, it has never had an update !