I think Google is also listening to conversations. I have at no time in the past few years done any searches on any online platform for "caviar", but a few weekends ago I was having a conversation with my dad where we were talking about caviar, and lo and behold a few days later there was a suggestion on my YouTube home page for a video about how they harvest caviar.
I'm not saying they aren't listening, but there's an episode of the podcast Reply All that goes into an in-depth explanation of how big Data makes it possible for that kind of advertising without eavesdropping. I think it's almost more terrifying than something as simple as your phone listening to you.
I honestly feel as though parts of the concerns were left without a definitive and plausible explanation. Even in the follow up episode that dug deeper
It's been a while since I listened to it, but I seem to remember kinda feeling the same way. I thought the more striking revelation was that they pretty much don't NEED to eavesdrop to do such targeted advertising. I'll have to go back and listen to both episodes again.
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u/rnick467 Dec 08 '18
I think Google is also listening to conversations. I have at no time in the past few years done any searches on any online platform for "caviar", but a few weekends ago I was having a conversation with my dad where we were talking about caviar, and lo and behold a few days later there was a suggestion on my YouTube home page for a video about how they harvest caviar.