If you spend any time on the Internet (as you’re doing right now reading this), someone somewhere has built an advertising profile for you. You don’t even have to buy anything to get one… it’s as simple as knowing what you search for, watch, or browse.
At long last, Google is preparing to let everyone delete their Android advertising IDs. Even better, ad targeting in kid-friendly apps is ending.
Your Ad ID is how products — and all similar product offerings — follow you. Removing the ID doesn’t mean you won’t get ads, but it does mean you won’t get targeted ones. You can already opt-out of personalized ads, but software developers can still access your Ad ID.
There’s something about being so fully tracked that feels creepy.
Even though I choose Chewy for all my pet needs, I get pretty sick of seeing dog food options following me around online. Same with everything else. I get it, Soma, I need new PJs. 🙄
I was married to Apple for a very long time — before security was an issue.
Back in the day, security wasn’t so important and tracking wasn’t so invasive. I still have the first ever, original iPhone from 2007. The 2-megapixel camera and 320×480 pixel resolution was amazing. (HA!) I then upgraded to the iPhone 3G in 2008 or 2009 when cases were non-existent and you customized your phone with stickers — as evidenced by the pink in the photo below:
Trying Android now, the struggle is real.
My very first mobile phone was a bag phone in the early 2000’s, but since then, Apple and I have been partners. Most security companies still rate the iPhone highest insofar as security, but here I am… trying the Android for reasons mentioned in earlier posts.
So far, I miss visual voicemail most of all. Someone leaves a message on my iPhone, I get a transcript and can just hit play to listen. On the Samsung, I have to call in to retrieve those… and I HATE that.
If you’re thinking about switching from Apple to Android or Google — or the other way around — I’d suggest before dropping a ton of money you do what I’m doing:
- Read everything you can from different sources.
- Test options if you can.
- Set priorities for what you want in your mobile device and rate what each product offers compared to your list of non-negotiables.
- Don’t get in a hurry.
TIL (Today I Learned): During the photoshoot for Pink Floyd’s Animals album cover, an inflatable pig broke loose and floated directly into the path of planes landing at Heathrow Airport. Royal Air Force arrived to chase the pig. The flying pig eventually fell to the ground miles away and scared a herd of cows.