Gmail advertising

by **-HaVoC-** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:14 pm

So I've been using many gmail accounts for sometime now and I've watched several new features get added. One they've added that I watch is a one line sales AD at the top of the messages in my inbox.

I had recently talked with a person at Redline Oil about lubricant for my differentials in my truck. I noticed today that I now have an AD directing me to a website that sells that oil.

It would seem that Gmail is advertising to me based upon the contents of my email. How do you guys and gals feel about that? It weirded me out once I realised it.

by **Chacal** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:21 pm

With that kind of thing and the fact they'll give access to your mail to any government that asks for it, there's no way I'm using Gmail.

by **Hat Rack** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:35 pm

If I had gmail, I would never ever use it again!!

by **Buliwyf** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:58 pm

by **Mugzy** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:58 pm

From day one, gmail said they had a system that would parse your emails so they could display targeted advertising.

Thats one of the reasons gmail is free.. Its a huge database of demographics

by **-HaVoC-** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:42 pm

Damn as usual I missed the fine print, even when it's in bold. Is there no sanctuary left on the net. They've killed it all right down to simple text emailing, how sad. I would say I remember when but I don't want to feel old...

by **Chacal** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:30 pm

That's basically why I run my own SMTP server.

by **Ldsmith104** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:35 pm

I realized from the start that was what gmail was about. I use it for large files and when I don't want to give out my email, but not for a primary account. BTW I guess from your comment chacal that google gave in to the government request for information, I had heard they were refusing to give the information initally.

by **Evan** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:37 pm

What's wrong with the advertising? I love Gmail and I have every other e-mail account I have (including ECGN/Defender) being sent to my Gmail account. I have no problem with it.

by **Chacal** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:42 pm

They're refusing the US government right now, which is good, but they're complying with the Chinese government, which is bad.

Of course, if there's an investigation about you, they'll turn your mailbox in, which is bad. Another reason to run your own server.

by **-HaVoC-** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:44 pm

It's funny you bring it up. I was actually having a hard time finding a vendor that carried the oil. So in one respect the link was on target. However, on the other hand it was kind of weird that it was provided through a process that scanned my email.

Dammit I've been violated... and I liked it.... where's Doomy when ya need him :beer:

edit: On a side note, does running your own smtp servers protect you from the law? One of my prior companies was found at fault in a huge case based on an archived email on our systems that was brought into court. Your thoughts?

by **Ldsmith104** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:15 am

I use a local business about 1/4 mile up the road from me to host my mail so if they law comes looking for me I guess I just have to burn the place down... j/k he is a good friend of mine it might as well be my server...

by **Padre** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 9:17 am

Originally posted by -HaVoC-
So I've been using many gmail accounts for sometime now and I've watched several new features get added. One they've added that I watch is a one line sales AD at the top of the messages in my inbox.

I had recently talked with a person at Redline Oil about lubricant for my differentials in my truck. I noticed today that I now have an AD directing me to a website that sells that oil.

It would seem that Gmail is advertising to me based upon the contents of my email. How do you guys and gals feel about that? It weirded me out once I realised it.

I haven't seen this, or maybe I just haven't been paying too much attention to it. I do think it's funny that when I clear out my SPAM folder, there are ads for Spam recipe sites.

I don't think there's too much to worry about. I imagine it's just picking up on keywords.

by **Bromsin** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:03 am

Gmail was always going to do that, Its the single reason i would never use it.. Why do you think they give so much space for free? Cause the advertising revenunes they receive are astronomical..

And another thing.. I wont even get an A&P discount card because I know they use that to track what people buy. So there is NOWAY im going to use Gmail, when I KNOW they scan all emails looking to match ads to you and anyone anywhere could get that infor from Google....

by **Chacal** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:32 am

Aggregating information is part of my job and I can assure you it is moving forward at great speed, and law enforcement is very interested. It's always one little step at a time so that people will just shrug it off. The only defense for the ordinary citizen is to oppose ANY attempt from the government to gain more access to data. Any attempt at all whatever the reason, because the reason will always be compelling (terrorism, child porn, etc.).

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