“You received this ad because you are a Pilates instructor for newlyweds and you are crazy about
cartoons. This ad used your geolocation to find out that you are in La Jolla.”
The Signal company, known for its developments inin the area of privacy and confidentiality, recently launched the most truthful advertising campaign on Instagram. The purpose of this move was to show users how much personal information is in the hands of large IT companies, and in particular – Facebook. Moreover, Instagram’s own targeting algorithms helped in this adventure. The entire campaign was banned almost immediately.
</ p>What do they know about us?
</ p>The fact is that Instagram and Facebook usethe same algorithms for data collection and promotion, and also collect what has been accumulated into one common pool. Moreover, the amount of information in this pool is quite extensive: age, place of residence and similar not entirely secret information. But something else is interesting: algorithms can determine whether you are looking for a new home, your marital status, and even your love for energy drinks.
But Gizmodo didn’t have time to ask Signalcomment on how the stuntmen's account was banned even before the advertisements reached their recipients. However, Facebook denies that the account was closed and states that all this – publicity stunt.
Here are some examples of advertisements that Instagram users have received:
“You received this ad because youchemist who loves K-Pop. This ad used your geolocation to find out that you are in Berlin. You also have a child and recently moved. And the other day you did exercises for pregnant women.”
“You received this ad because youteacher, but what's more important is that you're Leo (and single). This ad used your geolocation to find out that you are in Moscow. You like sketch coms and this ad thinks you're into drag.”
“You received this ad because youtherapist with a degree in art history. Divorced. This ad used your geolocation to find out that you are in London. Your online activity shows that you are interested in boxing and are probably looking to buy a motorcycle.”