this post was submitted on 24 Oct 2026
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Imagine the day when you go to some web site and see a picture of your wife, with a caption saying something like, "isn't it time that you talked to your doctor about Viagra?" How about those pre video ads on YouTube with your dead grandma, telling you to consider cremation?
What does that really mean, to use your data for ad targeting? Can they use your pictures to generate an AI image of those you love?
I see lots of posts that it doesn't affect you because you're not on Google services. What about that friend who took pictures at last week's happy hour? Grandma sharing pictures of her favorite granddaughter with her pickle ball group? Unless you're a hermit, you can't stop the slow trickle of your personal data being sucked up and stored for generations. It's your data, where are the laws to protect it?
It means if you received an email saying "thanks for your purchase of a razor" you will get ads for razor blades. They'll scan all your emails and build an "advertising profile"; similar to that Amazon thing that happened a while ago. If they know enough about you, the ads will be extremely targeted; like an automated spear phishing mounted turret that targets your most private weaknesses. Track your period in an app and they'll sell you menstrual products on a schedule. Get a food delivery order and now they know what food you like. Email your family about an upcoming vacation and they'll sell you plane tickets and travel insurance