Websites Aren't Listening To You All The Time To Recommend Ads, But I Am... | The Odyssey Online
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Websites Aren't Listening To You All The Time To Recommend Ads, But I Am...

No, your phone does't hear your every conversation, but these uncanny ads are no coincidence either.

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Websites Aren't Listening To You All The Time To Recommend Ads, But I Am...

People always talk about how awful it is that websites such as Google, Facebook, or Amazon listen to us to give us ads relating to things we talk about. They hate the thought of somebody in some room hearing all their conversations and putting ads on their phones about the topics of these conversations. Maybe you've never heard of this phenomenon, so essentially what happens is people will be talking about something, let's say a VHS bet of the entire second season of PowerPuff Girls, and then all of a sudden they will be on their phones and see an ad on Instagram or Facebook for that exact box set, or something related. Logically, this makes people think that their phones are constantly listening to them in order to target ads towards them. This is somewhat true, but I'm here to reveal the whole truth about the topic.

For a few years now, I have been working for the Internet. Yes, the Internet itself is an organization just like Google or Apple and it is the richest company in history. They are super low key, because nobody wants to know that they are constantly feeding into such a large business. However, they do contact people who seem to have a lot of friends (cough cough- not to flex) in order to work as what they call "Individuals Doing Inquisitive Online Targeting" or, I.D.I.O.T This is what I am, a certified I.D.I.O.T. My job is pretty self explanatory based on the title, but essentially, I am payed a living wage, $23.81 per year, to listen to people's conversations and report back to the Internet with their name and what they were talking about. The Internet then makes sure to give them ads about that stuff, because it is really convenient.

So, is somebody listening to you're every word? Yes. But it isn't some stranger in a room somewhere far away, it is an I.D.I.O.T right in your friend group. A friendly I.D.I.O.T that just wants to help you buy what you need/want!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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