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I’m not sure they can. How would that work? It’s not at all obvious to me, unless you explicitly provide that information by creating an account and logging in.
by fingerlocks 7y ago
I’m not sure they can. How would that work? It’s not at all obvious to me, unless you explicitly provide that information by creating an account and logging in.
Tracking pixels are incapable of such feats. At best they have your IP address from the latest visit, and information about your behavior on that site. I don’t see how they can magically conjure information you haven’t provided.
- beatgammit 7y agoThey just connect your browser to an account that has that data. If you have a Facebook account, a tracking pixel makes it easy. If you don't provide that data, they can guess based on browsing history (e.g. if you look up baby products, you're likely in the 20-30 age range). They can use AI to see how your online behavior matches up with other people in a known demographic. All of that data paints a surprisingly clear picture, even if you don't create an account (e.g. browsing data by IP is likely from the same person/family).
- fingerlocks 7y agoMy understanding is that the tracker collects your information, not the trackee, from the tracking pixel, correct? So that doesn't give some random website any additional information about you. But I'm really curious here, because I'm an applications developer and sort of in the dark about a lot of web technology. If I wanted to create a website that just absorbs the kind of information you're alleged is possible, how precisely is that done? How do I access the user's browsing history that you claim is possible? Is there a tutorial on this hand-waving AI-magic? Even if I had somehow acquired a mega database of granular user data, how do I key in on the random-user-that-just-loaded-my-page? Sorry if I being incredulous. It's because I am.