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Leaky Amazon Ads

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bungeejumper
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Leaky Amazon Ads

#166709

Postby bungeejumper » September 16th, 2018, 1:06 pm

Dear Marge, should I be concerned? Amazon's "inspired by your browsing history" suggestions are getting a bit spooky.

I don't mind Amazon punting purchasing suggestions at me that reflect the things I've been looking at lately. But at the moment I'm getting suggestions based on what the wife is investigating on her own separate computer. It's not so much the pond weed treatments that bother me - she does that all the time - it's the kitchen knives and the drill bits and the drain acid that have got me worried. :?

Anyway, technically, how does that happen? Our two computers share a BT modem, which I access via wifi while her computer is cabled directly to it. Is it simply that Amazon are identifying the shared modem's address and processing everything that comes through that modem, regardless of which user/computer is actually doing the browsing?

Ho hum, so much for online privacy (and we're both using Kaspersky, BTW). But I can imagine that this sort of thing could cause some interesting situations in offices or shared apartments. The next time Amazon punts me toward something a bit kinky (I should be so lucky... :lol: .), will it be my boss or my lodger who I should be viewing through new eyes?

(For the avoidance of doubt, I have neither. Just saying.....)

BJ

supremetwo
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Re: Leaky Amazon Ads

#166716

Postby supremetwo » September 16th, 2018, 1:33 pm

You can turn off ad targeting via:-

http://www.youronlinechoices.com/uk/your-ad-choices
Please note: this does not turn off all internet advertising only advertisements that are customised to your likely interests based upon previous web browsing activity.
Amazon is on that list.

mc2fool
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Re: Leaky Amazon Ads

#166720

Postby mc2fool » September 16th, 2018, 2:19 pm

bungeejumper wrote:Anyway, technically, how does that happen? Our two computers share a BT modem, which I access via wifi while her computer is cabled directly to it. Is it simply that Amazon are identifying the shared modem's address and processing everything that comes through that modem, regardless of which user/computer is actually doing the browsing?

Well that's certainly possible. If you google "ip" on your two computers you'll see you get the same address, which is, as you say, that of your modem. However, I'd be surprised (a little at least) if that's what they did do, precisely 'cos of the potential issues you refer to...

chas49
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Re: Leaky Amazon Ads

#166725

Postby chas49 » September 16th, 2018, 3:00 pm

@Bungeejumper: Obvious question, but do you and your wife have separate Amazon accounts? I have a separate accoubnt from my wife although we are linked as Family/Household so we only have one Prime subscription. I have never (AFAIR) noticed anything insipred by her browsing habits, and also (I believe) neither has she in reverse. (If nothing else, it would make presents shopping tricky)


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