Exactly, and this is additionally why it is predatory: you can't opt out.
It's similar to Facebook. If you never in your life ever created a profile, well, Facebook has one for you regardless.
The only way you can opt out of bluetooth beacons is to not bring your phone/smart watch/etc, or have either a hardware switch that disables your network functions or put it in a faraday cage. Also, because of data profiles and associations, if you're walking into a store with your partner, expect that your partner should do the same or else it's all moot. You're associated with your partner and thus tracking and profiling occurs anyway.
No tinfoil hat needed. Retail stores are equipped with bluetooth beacons that tracks and monitors customer behavior. This in turn can be sold for targeted advertising. Another scary thought is that the tracking is so precise, it measures the distance your phone is from a product, including height. How high is the phone from the ground? The data points can be extrapolated to influence product placement: what products and prices influenced a customer to bend down and look at/interact with the product? How long were they in close proximity with the product? Based on the phone’s orientation, were they bent down to look at or passing by the product (indicating that they stopped for a separate reason and not necessarily for the product)? Did they buy it? Were they looking for coupons in my “retail store app” while next to the product, or somewhere else in the store? Where do customers often stop or gather in order to browse through coupons? Could we place Y products there? Where should we put the product in stores to maximize sales? What ads can we send to them as they arrive at the store? Based on aggregated data with the rich profile we built for this customer, are they likely to sign up for our rewards credit card? What is this customer’s income level? Have they purchased X product recently? What part of town do they live in? What products are popular there? Et cetera ad nauseum.
Tracking is so predatory. Makes me look at my smart phone with disgust as the years go by, and I periodically grapple with the decision if a smart phone is even right for me or if it’s time to stick to a computer and a truly dumb phone going forward.
Some public info about Bluetooth beacons: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/06/14/opinion/bluetooth-wireless-tracking-privacy.html
Want to find Bluetooth beacons? Simply install a Bluetooth scanner app from your phone and head to a store to see them.
Here’s how Shopify engages businesses on how to utilize Bluetooth beacons with their software package. Bought anything online? That site was most likely powered by Shopify: https://www.shopify.com/retail/the-ultimate-guide-to-using-beacon-technology-for-retail-stores
Not yet, I’ll be working on it tomorrow or this weekend. Have a couple personal obligations but I’ll be drawing winners using the original post
I’ve had no excitement for this game since Ubisoft is such a disappointment of mediocrity. I grew bitter to them back when they announced the controversial shutting down of their legacy activation servers: this would prevent gamers from passing the online checks to play their games. Suddenly, despite me possessing a physical disc of Splinter Cell Blacklist on Wii U, I learned I would lose access to the DLC I paid for and “owned”. Certain missions would also become unplayable since you need online co-op. Ubisoft backpedaled after significant backlash from gamers, but since then I hesitate whenever I see them attached to any project.
I miss old Ubisoft. I’m playing Beyond Good & Evil 2003 on my GameCube for the first time, and this game is spectacular! Wish Ubisoft didn’t become evil, but it was inevitable.
Thanks, this is the actual quote from The Office. I dislike that the meme gets it wrong and says “Sir, this is a Wendy’s.”
It is like misquoting Darth Vader saying “Luke, I am your father” when the actual quote is “No, I am your father”.
Same dude. My love for Ash’s Pikachu was cemented when, as a kid, I watched Pikachu tank a lightning bolt and save Ash from a swarm of Spearow. Such a great episode and a memory that kid me will never forget, an invaluable lesson about friendship and love.
That episode made me beg my parents for Pokémon Red. Ha, and Pocket Pikachu now that I think about it - the Pokémon Tamagatchi.
I’m off to the playground to get shredded.
You mean the gym, right?
…
Right?
Ah yes, Hitachi Station: the purveyor of power converters.
Loose and lose bother me. When I see these words used incorrectly, I become mildly irritated.
I figuratively would of had fewer of a reaction if less persons made that missed steak… literally.
Update Aug 18:
I added more games from a kind, anonymous Lemming. I extended the giveaway to August 31st. No more donations accepted - thank you!
Hey PC Master Race community! And hi anyone else that stumbles upon this post and is not a member of the PCMR community!
Summer is almost over, and it has been an interesting year for sure. I previously did a giveaway for last Winter Holiday 2023, and decided I should do another giveaway! Basically because we here in Lemmy are still alive and kicking, and I want to do something nice for a few lucky gamers.
Some of the games have multiple key codes, denoted by the quantity.
Additional Game Keys donated by an anonymous Lemming
These games come from Humble Bundle, Games Planet, and Fanatical. There is only one key for each of the nine listed below:
EU Countries Only (will not activate in any other region):
Best of luck! Continue to be kind to each other, and most importantly, be kind to yourself.
Regards,
CatZoomies | PCMR Moderator, on behalf of the moderation team
Not my meme, I stole it from someone else. You wouldn't know them, they go to a different community.
John Oliver discusses dollar stores and why Irish Spring is not his soap of choice.
Video Duration: 21:53
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/p4QGOHahiVM | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4QGOHahiVM
Invidious Link (privacy-respecting frontend for YouTube): https://vid.puffyan.us/watch?v=p4QGOHahiVM
Comments:
All you had to do was stay in my ass.