Twitter Tracks Users for Sake of Social Media Ads

Twitter Tracks Users for Sake of Social Media Ads

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Jul 24, 2013

Twitter is probably my most favorite social media platform, but when I heard that they were experimenting with ways to track me, and you, all around the Internet, even when we leave Twitter, I became a bit skittish to say the least. This new off-site tracking is Twitter"s way of relaying information to advertisers so that ads can be created to heavily target certain people.

While it is well known that Twitter already tracks users by using "Follow" buttons and social widgets that tell Twitter where people go after leaving their site, Twitter is upping the ante a bit in the users" favor. (Of course, don"t forget that you can configure AdBlock to block the "Follow" buttons and widgets on third party sites.)

Twitter is giving users the chance to activate "Do Not Track," enabling users to have more power and control over the security of their social media experiences.

How to deactivate Twitter"s new off-site tracking

  1. Log into your Twitter account.
  2. At the top of the screen, beside Twitter"s search bar, click on the grey "circle" that looks like a grommet, and choose "settings" from the drop-down menu.Twitter Tracks Users for Sake of Social Media Ads

  3. Scroll down and beside "Personalization," uncheck "Tailor Twitter based on my recent website visits."
  4. Then, beside "Promoted Content," uncheck "Tailor ads based on information shared by ad partners."
    Twitter Tracks Users for Sake of Social Media Ads

  5. Scroll to the bottom, and click on the "Save changes" button.

According to Twitter regarding their new off-site tracking, they aren"t going to put more ads on their site, just better ones, based on the results produced by their off-site tracking.

Ultimately, I think it"s a bit creepy to track and collect data on people when they leave Twitter in order to improve Twitter"s advertising. Just seems a little unethical somehow.

Source:http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/twitter-wants-start-tracking-you-web-heres-how-opt-out-6C10543909

http://lifehacker.com/twitter-wants-to-start-tracking-you-on-the-web-heres-661569459

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk Dies After Utah Valley University Shooting

    Charlie Kirk, a popular conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, died Wednesday after being shot during an on-campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.