ADs are simply invasive
Reading response 1
A lot of free things on the internet are free because of pop up ads and sidebar ads and other ads. A lot of time the ad are based on the things we like, the things we search up, enjoy or question. Even things based on our day to day life. For example, music favorite youtube video or tv show. Think about it, have you ever been listening to particular artist like Beyonce and all of a sudden when your reading your daily news a sidebar add suddenly shows tickets to a Beyonce concert. If you were looking to go to a Beyonce concert those ads would be helpful. Seeing as to how you are not, those ads are annoying and as my title says invasive.
After reading an article by FastCompany written by DJ Pangburn. I learned about an app called AdNauseum it blocked ADs and also protects your privacy. It was taken down by google because they claimed that it had 2 extensions in which it did and was not allowed. It both blocked and hid apps. The claim is basically saying if you're going to be an app in google you have to support google earning. Meaning your app has to somehow accept the promoting ads to somebody can make money and on top of that google wants your information. Any app that doesn't help them pursue those endeavors can not be on their platform.
Why does this matter? Why does an app that removes ads matter? Well, the simple fact that you have to have a shield to us the internet comfortably is a problem. Big companies like Google are really using every which way they can to collect your data and make money off of it. In a TEd talk called “Why privacy matters” by Glenn Green. He mentions how privacy to these people; i.e Mark Zuckerberg, is not the norm anymore. If privacy is not the social norm anymore why do people have passwords, multiple locks on their doors, pins, special bank accounts, and safes? Why do people still go through extreme lengths to protect themselves? Zuckerberg purchased the surrounding houses around his home to ensure he and his partner have ultimate privacy. The CEO of google gets upset when his information gets put out based on his google searches. He gets mad at the database that he authorizes. The question doesn't even seem to be why does privacy matter because clearly, it does it, its who does privacy pertain to? People who can afford privacy or every day who can barely afford to have the internet on its own.
It's not only privatized companies, but it's also the government as well. Edward Snowden brought to light how much our national government is actually surveilling us. The government made it their business to know everyone's business. Not only are the Ads invasive, but the Government is also being as invasive for the same thing but different reasons. they are invasive because they want o keep the country safe. The belief is if you are doing nothing wrong you should have nothing to hide. It's like the Government is an overbearing parent who doesn't trust their child to operate like their child. The government does have regulations like privacy rights for costumer and etc, but still, are able to watch over people. Thru the patriot's act is the government able to surveillance different people. So the information is being sold and the government is having a free for all on the information. The only thing they need is a reason to feel you're a threat. A could be of simple search that's not harmful or meant to have malice intent. This is beyond invasive. The government only works if the citizen lets it work but not intending for it to work that way.
Finally, my last reading was on Data capitalism. Talking about how these Ad companies and data invasive companies collect your data and how it ends up somehow being sold. It starts with Data mining. capitalism. Data capitalism are basically places where data is easily picked up from and collected. The official definition is Data capitalism is, “at its core, a system in which the commoditization of our data enables a redistribution of power in the information age.” — West.pg.23.For example, google and any social media platform. The reading actually co-signs what Green is talking about in terms of hoe technology entrepreneurs felt about privacy.
In conclusion with Ads being invasive because they track you and the government being invasive on their own side the right to privacy has been eroded to the bare minimum of what is supposed to be. The title does say that it's simply invasive bit clearly it beyond that. Apps that are meant to protect from this removed and so how an in some way you need to use the internet to perform every day a little task. Everything has been digitized to the government has all the means to do whatever. It's scarily invasive no longer simply.
citation
Crain_The limits of transparency.pdf. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hg6hF_9WFXwThoZDOvBcWwJRd_ksVgq0/view.
Greenwald, G. (n.d.). Transcript of “Why privacy matters”. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/glenn_greenwald_why_privacy_matters/transcript#t-101174.
https://www.justice.gov/archive/ll/highlights.htm.
Pangburn, D. J. (2017, June 30). How Google Blocked A Guerrilla Fighter In The Ad War. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/3068920/google-adnauseam-ad-blocking-war.
West_Data capitalism.pdf. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lpw7GfBfzAiivc2B0YBLwMYzgfmWswg-/view.