[JohnFen]

> If you don't think that all ads are bad, then I think you may agree that sometimes, ad targeting produces more useful ads.

I don't personally agree with this, but I think it's an irrelevant point. The point is that targeted advertising requires spying on people. Google's "solution" is a nonsolution because it simply codifies that spying. That it's arguably less comprehensive spying is beside the point.

It's not the ads I object to, it's the data collection that drives the ads.

[jkubicek]

> It's not the ads I object to, it's the data collection that drives the ads.

I'll take this one step further, it's not the data _collection_ that bothers me, it's the data _sharing_.

I have an Instagram account, I'm fine with Meta hoovering up every tiny bit of data from my account to generate highly targeted ads. They know my posts, my photos, my follows, my comments, my faves. They can use all that data to deliver highly targeted ads directly to my timeline.

What I don't want is Meta knowing anything at all about my actions _outside_ of Instagram. What apps I have installed, my purchase history, my search history, my location, my real-life friends and family. That's all private and Meta should never know about any of it.

[naniwaduni]

You can have your restricted concerns, I'm going to keep taking issue with (a) data collected being data that can get accidental public backups, and (b) ads being an unwanted imposition on my attention.

[jkubicek]

The solution to both of those problems is to not use Instagram, which isn't a great solution, but at least it's possible.

However, if Instagram is collecting browsing history and location data on me from some other source, it's hard/impossible for me to avoid.

[skybrian]

Time to check Ad Topics in Chrome Settings to see what information advertisers are getting from me...

Nope, nothing I wouldn't wouldn't share publicly. Just like every other time I checked.

(I won't copy it all here since I'm on mobile, but otherwise I would. it's all very bland topics like "Online Communities.")

It's technically targeted advertising, but only barely. I voluntary share much more information on the Internet.

[JohnFen]

> I voluntary share much more information on the Internet.

The key word here is "voluntarily". My objection is having data about me, my machines, or my use of my machines being collected without my consent.

If I have given informed consent, there is no problem.