"This e-mail and post are also useful reminders: virtually everything you do online can be tracked, if someone wants to track you. Amazon does, for reasons that

"This e-mail and post are also useful reminders: virtually everything you do online can be tracked, if someone wants to track you. Amazon does, for reasons that presently seem benign. Nonetheless, next time I move I might delete this account (if that’s possible) and start another one, which won’t have a purchase history going back to 2002." I'm sorry, but who cares? And did the OP really not know that? I don't browse Amazon while logged in and not expect them to be using every bit of my history for marketing. This just seems like a really ridiculous criticism. Seriously, there's a middle-ground here. If you're doing something remotely private, take a few steps to make sure you can't be tracked as easily. Don't want your viewing history tracked? Clear your cookies or enter private browsing mode. Afraid that your IP address will give something away? Use a VPN. This isn't new. People have been tracking you for decades using as many techniques at their disposal as possible. Sure, it's easier now, but let's be honest, the quality of information you're giving away here isn't that sensitive. Unless you're particularly embarrassed about buying high-end cameras, I don't see where the worry is.