Not on my end, but knowing that they're starting this now means I won't ever be using those services, even out of curiosity (which is the reason I use the free ChatGPT). I have to maintain a FB...
Was there any expectation otherwise?
Not on my end, but knowing that they're starting this now means I won't ever be using those services, even out of curiosity (which is the reason I use the free ChatGPT). I have to maintain a FB account because sometimes I need access to some local recycling groups or similar, and an Instagram account is unfortunately really important for people in my field. I've been seriously struggling with mine for years and wasn't even aware that they now have an AI assistant. Goes to show how lazy I've been with it. Honestly I'm dreading having to check what it's even like these days, given how awful it was last time I opened the app. I'm considering I'd try to just live without it.
I'm also wondering whether or not OpenAI is already doing this too, without publicly disclosing, because I've received some communication that seemed like built-in advertising. I think it stopped happening, at least for now, when I added custom instructions, so I haven't stopped using ChatGPT yet.
They capture your mouse location and movements, track the other apps you have installed on your phone, and even contribute to your shadow profile based on information they gather from friends and...
They capture your mouse location and movements, track the other apps you have installed on your phone, and even contribute to your shadow profile based on information they gather from friends and acquaintances. Every aspect of the Meta platform hoovers data for targeted advertising: that's their bread and butter. Why would anybody think that they would ever create a product that doesn't help their targeted advertising? God help us if we ever manage to create a raw brain-computer interface that allows Zuckerberg to target you based on thought.
Because most people can't even imagine that level of tracking being a thing. If you explain that it is and how it works, they just scoff and go about their day, because they still can't imagine...
Why would anybody think that they would ever create a product that doesn't help their targeted advertising?
Because most people can't even imagine that level of tracking being a thing. If you explain that it is and how it works, they just scoff and go about their day, because they still can't imagine the implications in any tangible enough way that would actually make a difference to them.
This. I think humanity crossed a threshold (a few decades ago) where the complexity of our technology far exceeds our ability to casually model or understand it. I think it’s a limit of human...
This. I think humanity crossed a threshold (a few decades ago) where the complexity of our technology far exceeds our ability to casually model or understand it. I think it’s a limit of human cognition, like the way we struggle to make sense of large-scale differences like million vs. billion. With training, individuals can learn and come to understanding, but the vast majority of people never will.
I think this has resulted in widespread “autopilot” where people just nod and move on because the mental hurdle is too high to justify the time and effort. I’m including legislators and regulators in that group. Unfortunately that enables a lot of exploitative companies (like Meta) to do terrible things with impunity. I’m not sure there’s a way to make it better… the problem just seems to me to be compounding, generation after generation.
Ultimately this erodes democracy: if the majority of voters are unable to conceive what is happening, how are they going to vote for or against it? My friend used to console me about my...
I think this has resulted in widespread “autopilot” where people just nod and move on because the mental hurdle is too high to justify the time and effort. I’m including legislators and regulators in that group.
Ultimately this erodes democracy: if the majority of voters are unable to conceive what is happening, how are they going to vote for or against it? My friend used to console me about my tech-related worries by saying companies won't do anything truly sinister because consumers wouldn't accept it and the company's market share would drop. Yep. We were still in Google's "Don't be evil" era.
These days it isn't even enough to opt out from using products and services from these companies because other people will upload art you created to Adobe's Cloud, recognise and record your presence and identity using smart glasses etc., without asking for your consent. (Am I wrong about the latter example? If yes, then probably not for long.)
I think you’re 100% correct, and the companies get to hide behind “but we told users (buried 60 pages in the EULA that nobody reads) that they must have permission to upload any content, so it’s...
I think you’re 100% correct, and the companies get to hide behind “but we told users (buried 60 pages in the EULA that nobody reads) that they must have permission to upload any content, so it’s not our fault, the user should have not done that!”
People’s voice interactions with the Meta AI digital assistant when wearing the company’s Ray-Ban Meta glasses will also influence the company’s recommendation engine, Harris said.
“So whether you’re using your keyboard to type your interactions or you are using the audio version of an interaction, those signals will still be used,” she said.
The recommendation update will not take into account user interactions with Meta AI via WhatsApp unless people link their accounts on the messaging service to other sibling apps like Instagram, Harris said.
People will not be able to opt out of the upcoming recommendation engine change, but if they don’t interact with Meta AI, the “update won’t apply to them,” Harris said.
What a garbage company. Flyers need to be made, produced and distributed world wide in all cities so that people are aware of this. The vast vast vast majority of people using meta products will...
What a garbage company. Flyers need to be made, produced and distributed world wide in all cities so that people are aware of this.
The vast vast vast majority of people using meta products will not be aware of these things, that’s the sad reality. IMO the best way to make people aware of things like this is with flyers distribution and friendly education.
Was there any expectation otherwise? It's pretty much the only way to monetize the interactions.
Not on my end, but knowing that they're starting this now means I won't ever be using those services, even out of curiosity (which is the reason I use the free ChatGPT). I have to maintain a FB account because sometimes I need access to some local recycling groups or similar, and an Instagram account is unfortunately really important for people in my field. I've been seriously struggling with mine for years and wasn't even aware that they now have an AI assistant. Goes to show how lazy I've been with it. Honestly I'm dreading having to check what it's even like these days, given how awful it was last time I opened the app. I'm considering I'd try to just live without it.
I'm also wondering whether or not OpenAI is already doing this too, without publicly disclosing, because I've received some communication that seemed like built-in advertising. I think it stopped happening, at least for now, when I added custom instructions, so I haven't stopped using ChatGPT yet.
They capture your mouse location and movements, track the other apps you have installed on your phone, and even contribute to your shadow profile based on information they gather from friends and acquaintances. Every aspect of the Meta platform hoovers data for targeted advertising: that's their bread and butter. Why would anybody think that they would ever create a product that doesn't help their targeted advertising? God help us if we ever manage to create a raw brain-computer interface that allows Zuckerberg to target you based on thought.
Because most people can't even imagine that level of tracking being a thing. If you explain that it is and how it works, they just scoff and go about their day, because they still can't imagine the implications in any tangible enough way that would actually make a difference to them.
This. I think humanity crossed a threshold (a few decades ago) where the complexity of our technology far exceeds our ability to casually model or understand it. I think it’s a limit of human cognition, like the way we struggle to make sense of large-scale differences like million vs. billion. With training, individuals can learn and come to understanding, but the vast majority of people never will.
I think this has resulted in widespread “autopilot” where people just nod and move on because the mental hurdle is too high to justify the time and effort. I’m including legislators and regulators in that group. Unfortunately that enables a lot of exploitative companies (like Meta) to do terrible things with impunity. I’m not sure there’s a way to make it better… the problem just seems to me to be compounding, generation after generation.
Ultimately this erodes democracy: if the majority of voters are unable to conceive what is happening, how are they going to vote for or against it? My friend used to console me about my tech-related worries by saying companies won't do anything truly sinister because consumers wouldn't accept it and the company's market share would drop. Yep. We were still in Google's "Don't be evil" era.
These days it isn't even enough to opt out from using products and services from these companies because other people will upload art you created to Adobe's Cloud, recognise and record your presence and identity using smart glasses etc., without asking for your consent. (Am I wrong about the latter example? If yes, then probably not for long.)
I think you’re 100% correct, and the companies get to hide behind “but we told users (buried 60 pages in the EULA that nobody reads) that they must have permission to upload any content, so it’s not our fault, the user should have not done that!”
What a garbage company. Flyers need to be made, produced and distributed world wide in all cities so that people are aware of this.
The vast vast vast majority of people using meta products will not be aware of these things, that’s the sad reality. IMO the best way to make people aware of things like this is with flyers distribution and friendly education.