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Re:How do I permanently delete my account? by BigJono on Friday November 24, 2017 @12:16AM (#15769547)
Is there anything inherently bad about a site using your data to serve you more relevant ads, as long as your data is not passed on to a 3rd party?
Re:How do I permanently delete my account? by e12e on Friday November 24, 2017 @01:20AM (#15769740)
I'd say that highly targeted ads are harmful, as it's more likely to undermine the viewer (eg: political ads tweaked based on current family situation/emergencies derived from data mining). Eg: target people who recently lost loved ones to an attack by one of our times typical "lone gunmen" by ads advertising increased surveillance as a way to mitigate "terrorist" attacks.

Or substituting in first names of friends in paid content ("<person with same name as your friend> give the following reasons to vote x!/buy this").

Not to mention that if advertising works - then it undermines the idea of a free marked where purchases are made by informed independent agents (I think that's a fantasy anyway, but it seems to be a somewhat popular idea).

Re:How do I permanently delete my account? by danieldk on Friday November 24, 2017 @01:54AM (#15769835)
Is there anything inherently bad about a site using your data to serve you more relevant ads, as long as your data is not passed on to a 3rd party?

Is there anything inherently bad about a stalker passively observing and recording your every move, as long as they don't disturb your daily routine or pass the data along?

Even if you find the stalking behavior (cross-site tracking) of ad companies acceptable, there is a significant risk that your data leaks or is stolen. So, I should be able to decide who I trust with saving intimate data and who I don't.

Re:How do I permanently delete my account? by djrogers on Friday November 24, 2017 @12:39AM (#15769628)
Show me a site that gathers data about me directly, transparently, and without any creepy cross-site tracking, and I’ll consider your question. Unfortunately that’s not how anyone works.
Re:How do I permanently delete my account? by icebraining on Friday November 24, 2017 @01:55AM (#15769837)
Except we know that not passing data is a pipe dream. Between hacks and governmental abuses, no company can promise that, no matter how honest they are.