Paranoia or bigbrother?

[ignoramus]

[This is 100% serious.]

Guys, I don't want to jump to conclusions just yet.

So I had a nice day out with the Mrs at a shopping centre yesterday.
She bought a jumper... I looked at a lot of things but didn't buy anything. (I don't really need anything).

Anyway, I remember looking at some nice hush puppy sandals in one store.
I remember looking at some nice hiking boots in another store.
I also remember looking at some backpacks in another sporting goods store.

Just now, my phone goes blip (notification of email). I click on gmail and it's just another "just for you" email from ebay.
No big deal, I get them regularly.

It was recommending to me: That's right! Sandals, hiking boots and backpacks! WTAF!

This is NOT something I searched on ebay. EVER!
My mind is going bigbrother crazy at the moment ...
With today's tech, it wouldn't be hard to do...
Cameras, Face recognition, personal and/or public photos I've posted on youtube, google drive (automatic backup from phone), etc.

Any other explanations? Is this type of highly organised marketing by the big players even legal?


I think I'll wear a burqa next time I go shopping. I don't really know what else to do...

[The Valkyrie]

It's just pure coincidence, citizen.

We don't currently have the technology to monitor you in this way and it will likely be developed no earlier than 20 years from now.

Go about your business.  Nothing to see here.



*Have drone 11648 removed from the monitoring system and reprogrammed so this type of mistake doesn't happen again.  Also, have this citizen picked up and taken for re-education*

[brewer]

I'd start tearing at any imperfection in your skin. They can hide those implants almost anywhere these days.

[Silver]

I don't get random emails like that. Weird.

[ignoramus]

They're not random Kit.
I buy and sell shit on ebay.

I've ticked the box to send me emails like this.

My specific concern in this instance is how the fuck they know I'm vaguely interested in sandals, boots and backpacks!
Scary shit if you ask me...

[Silver]

Like someone else already said, coincidence.

[Minimalist]

They're not random Kit.
I buy and sell shit on ebay.

I've ticked the box to send me emails like this.

My specific concern in this instance is how the fuck they know I'm vaguely interested in sandals, boots and backpacks!
Scary shit is you ask me...

Maybe they assumed you had feet?

[rskovride]

Or a back.

[The Valkyrie]

They're not random Kit.
I buy and sell shit on ebay.

I've ticked the box to send me emails like this.

My specific concern in this instance is how the fuck they know I'm vaguely interested in sandals, boots and backpacks!
Scary shit is you ask me...

Did you have your phone with you went you went into the various shops?

[ignoramus]

I rarely carry my phone on Sunday outings Beccs but yes, I did have it in my cargo pants side pocket this time!
It's starting to make a little more sense now. (not so much big brotherish).

I had "location" turned on on my android smartphone too.
Do gps' work inside buildings though? maybe through wifi?

Moral of the story: your "smart phone" is now a "sneaky little arsehole phone in cahoots with google" phone! True story!

*iggy opens cupboards looking for his old Nokia 6230*