The article discusses how smartphones track user movements, enabling retailers to send targeted advertisements based on in-store behaviors. A case study involving a woman named Linda illustrates how she received marketing emails for kitchen knives she only discussed in-store but never searched for online. This occurs because retailers collect location data through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections which are sold to ad networks, allowing them to create targeted marketing campaigns. The piece also highlights the importance of understanding app permissions and offers tips on protecting privacy in a data-driven landscape.
Your smartphone was busy collecting data, tracking your location through GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth signals, allowing retailers to send targeted ads based on your in-store behavior.
Even without searching for a product online, your phone can still track your movements in retail spaces, leading to tailored advertisements based on those interactions.
Retailers sell location data to ad networks which, when combined with your email information gleaned from data brokers, results in targeted marketing communications.
To protect your privacy, it is essential to understand the permissions you grant to your apps and how they use your data to serve ads.
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