Scary banner ads and Google marketing:

[speeder]

A couple days ago, I was briefly discussing a garage door purchase for a project here in MN. Just standing in the garage, talking different types of doors, approx. prices, etc. With a good friend.

The next time I log onto this BBS, there is a banner ad for garage doors in MN. I never discussed it here. Or anywhere else online. I'm sure of it. No text messages. No emails. Just a face to face conversation for maybe 5 minutes.

WTF? I mean really, what in the actual fk?

Someone told me that there are programs that actually listen to you through your smart phone when you are talking. I have an iPhone 6 and it was in my pocket locked during this conversation.

This is pretty diabolical. Is there ANY other possible explanation for this targeted marketing? keep in mind that I live in CA. but I'm in MN. right now. I never said the word "Minnesota" in the conversation, why would I? It knew that I'm here and put a very specific ad on Pelican for me.

Weird.

[Steve Carlton]

Did you search online with your phone or a computer in MN? The phone's location is probably known no matter where it is. There's no way it's eves dropping.

[JD159]

I would immediately do a bug sweep of your entire garage and household. If nothing is found, purchase some HD tinfoil and make a hat, using a metal pasta strainer as a base -- they could be reading your thoughts.

[HardDrive]

Did your good friend do any googling? Pretty easy connection for big data.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by JD159

I would immediately do a bug sweep of your entire garage and household. If nothing is found, purchase some HD tinfoil and make a hat, using a metal pasta strainer as a base -- they could be reading your thoughts.

Hilarious.

I didn't search for doors, I'm sure of it. Kookoo.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by speeder

I have an iPhone 6 and....

You will be assimilated.

[rusnak]

No, it's fine. The Googlez is your friend, making everything more convenient.

These are not the droids you are looking for.

[craigster59]

I do have to say that since I responded on your trailer thread and didn't mention the "A" word I'm getting banner ads for that trailer company.

[billh1963]

Your Phone Might Be Listening to You


Is your smartphone listening to you? - BBC News

Facebook is using smartphones to listen to what people say, professor suggests | News | Lifestyle | The Independent

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by speeder

Hilarious.

I didn't search for doors, I'm sure of it. Kookoo.

Yeah, I think you can halt the tinfoil hat construction (well, for now).
I am pretty sure you mentioned the word "garage" several times over on PARF, when discussing your past/present living situation.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

Yeah, I think you can halt the tinfoil hat construction (well, for now).
I am pretty sure you mentioned the word "garage" several times over on PARF, when discussing your past/present living situation.

And I think you mentioned The Doors in a music thread about ten years ago... nothing to see here... move along...

[Bob Kontak]

You leaked.

Three years ago watched vids on Charles Whitman, the UT Austin Clock Tower assassin. Including air time of the cop who took him out for real wiff a shotgun.

Rhino shotgun rounds in my face.

You did it with your sniffing. However meager.

[MBAtarga]

That's just a fluke. I'm seeing ads for Divorce Attorneys and am happily married, and just me and the wife use this computer!

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

That's just a fluke. I'm seeing ads for Divorce Attorneys and am happily married, and just me and the wife use this computer!

And why do I keep getting these emails about mail order Russian brides?

[1975porsche]

If it's only you and the wife using the computer are you sure she's happy 😳

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Why do I keep seeing banner ads for aluminum foil now?

[JD159]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

And why do I keep getting these emails about mail order Russian brides?

Do any conspiring with Putin as of late? Thats why I kept getting them.

[Gogar]

If you look at Facebook or Amazon or pretty much anything on your phone and then look at it later on your computer, things you searched for will show up on your computer, etc.

Actually, Facebook looks at pretty much everything on your phone.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Ever have Siri randomly chime in totally out of context? Because she is now voice activated she is always listening. After having her randomly chime in to answer questions in the middle of conversations without in any way using the keyword of "hey Siri" I disabled the feature. It creeped me out, because the phone quite literally has to listen to everything you say.

I've also pulled my phone out of my pocket to see the microphone icon illuminated, totally randomly. Again, the phone is listening. Why is the real question.

[gorthar]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I've also pulled my phone out of my pocket to see the microphone icon illuminated, totally randomly. Again, the phone is listening. Why is the real question.

I've had almost this exact same thing happen on my Samsung galaxy...frequently. It's a wtf moment for sure.