Ask HN: Where are we vulnerable to exploitation online these days?

[arunsupe]

I'm usually curious about various topics, but lately, I've noticed that external, exploitative influences—primarily from advertisements—are nudging me toward interests I wouldn't have pursued on my own (I use an ad blocker, block trackers etc). While I appreciate some of the directions I've been led, I want to understand these exploitative influences.

I've identified that I'm particularly susceptible to manipulation on a few types of websites, such as search engines, retailers, tailored content platforms, and social media sites that have profiled me.

I'm interested in better understanding these influences and have two questions:

What other categories of manipulative websites should I be aware of? What additional methods of manipulation might I be missing? Any insights or experiences would be greatly appreciated!

[solardev]

Turn off recommendations and personalized results. Don't use social media or TikTok. Read only wire service news (Reuters and the Associated Press) and maybe a local paper.

It gets boring pretty quickly this way since you're just kinda stuck in your own little bubble, but you drastically cut down on the propaganda. Downside, I have no idea what trends are anymore or what normal people care about. But it's a lot less stressful being out of the loop than wrapped up in it.

[arunsupe]

Thanks for your comments.

I am finding myself getting sucked into the decisiveness and click baiting nowadays. Want to implement some of these counter measures. Here are my thoughts: 1. DDG or searxng for search YouTube only via the search engine (not YouTube's recommendations - worse than tiktok) 2. Reuters for news (no CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, fox, Google, Yahoo) 3. No social media (don't do this much anymore already) 4. Turn off personalization for Google (I use this the most)

This should limit a large percent of external influence. Any other thoughts/suggestions?

I understand your point about “boring”. But, I wonder if I will form my own interests if given more balanced options.

[solardev]

I think that's most of it?

> This should limit a large percent of external influence. Any other thoughts/suggestions?

Not really, beyond just trying to give all the information you do receive both the "benefit of the doubt" and a fair bit of skepticism, measuring the message itself, the sender, the state of mind you are when you receive it, etc. Over time you'll probably not only better be able to filter out junk messages, but learn about your own needs and preferences too.

> I understand your point about “boring”. But, I wonder if I will form my own interests if given more balanced options.

That's the hope!

Though HN is a bubble too... don't spend too much time here, lol. (easier said than done... I need to get out more)

[sparkie]

https://www.deceptive.design/types (formerly "Dark Patterns").

[arunsupe]

Very interesting list of deceptive influences. Thanks for sharing.