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

  • Enhancing Security and Business Intelligence

    From border security to parking lots, ALPR has gained traction across multiple use cases as the technology becomes more accurate and affordable than ever. I spoke with Jason Cook, business development director at Vaxtor, a leader in ALPR AI-based analytics, and Rui Barbosa, category manager, Surveillance Products at i-PRO, a maker of AI-enabled security cameras, to delve into the latest advancements and applications of ALPR technology. Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) has transformed significantly over the years, evolving from a niche technology into a powerful tool for a wide range of applications, particularly in border security. Read Now

  • Leveraging Smart Sensors

    The integration of smart sensors with data-driven video technology provides schools with a comprehensive solution to enhance safety and security. This combination offers advanced capabilities such as environmental monitoring, audio analytics, vape detection and unified data management, empowering schools to create a secure and healthy learning environment for students and staff. Read Now

  • Unlocking the End-user Perception

    An observation as a creator of identity verification solutions is that while industry leaders are often excited by the opportunity to leverage biometrics, there are often concerns raised about the end-user mindset during the conversation. Primarily, what are end-users’ expectations of biometric technology? What concerns might they have about its usage to authenticate and protect their access? Read Now

  • 4 Killed, 9 Injured at Georgia High School Shooting

    Four people were killed and nine were hospitalized after a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia on Wednesday. That’s according to CNN. Read Now

Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • 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. 3

  • 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. 3

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities 3