Re:Facebook's AI Points Internet Drones to Where the People Are
by datagram on Monday February 22, 2016 @05:25PM
(#11154812)
Unless there's techniques I'm unaware of, I assume you're talking about MAC address-based tracking? Apple has been working to eliminate that; they've been using randomized addresses during scanning since iOS 8.
The other possibility here is tracking via geolocation or iBeacon, which require an app with location services/bluetooth enabled. And in those cases the tracking is most likely based on Apple IDFA/Google Advertising Id, so you at least have the option to opt out: https://dev.twitter.com/mopub/ui/opting-out-interest-based-a... (assuming the app properly respects the setting).
Re:Facebook's AI Points Internet Drones to Where the People Are
by graeme on Monday February 22, 2016 @02:47PM
(#11153693)
How much does airplane mode affect this? I have it turned on constantly when I'm out. Mostly to avoid distractions.
Re:Facebook's AI Points Internet Drones to Where the People Are
by johnchristopher on Monday February 22, 2016 @03:14PM
(#11153911)
Do we know for sure it's working: does that information lead to more sales ?
Re:Facebook's AI Points Internet Drones to Where the People Are
by datagram on Monday February 22, 2016 @05:21PM
(#11154787)
It's generally understood that it's quite effective to advertise to prior customers compared to say, targeting a geographic area.
Apparently it's about as effective as search ads: http://venturebeat.com/2014/12/16/90-of-marketers-say-retarg...
There are a number of startups providing these services (some of them have gone through YC I think?). It's now so common that you just have to assume that if your phone is broadcasting anything at all, including looking for a WiFi network to join, that your location is being tracked and sold for competitive analysis by corporations.