How Google pioneered the "surveillance capitalism" business model

[jeffreyC]

Google has gone from finding what you want to buy to ignoring what you want and showing you what they are paid to sell you.... and have dominated the search engine market so much that it is very hard to develop anything to replace theirs. This makes it doubly hard to find what you want instead of what they are attempting to manipulate you into buying.

[malspa]

Well, this thread has given me a lot to think about. Thanks to all who have posted; very interesting reading.

I do want to continue to keep my eyes and ears open and try to protect myself, but I don't think I'm gonna be so worried about Google anymore. Anyway, life's too short.

It's not that I cannot use without it, the question is why? I don't have any problem with Google. But pray tell, what harm did they do to me?

I'm not aware of any harm that Google has done to me, either.

Big monopolies, I don't feel comfortable about that part. But I don't want to stress out about it. Too many things causing me stress in my life as it is. I'll likely continue to use DuckDuckGo and Startpage because I feel satisfied with the results I get. I don't really need Google for web searches. I'll use OpenStreetMap, too (and paper maps, because I like 'em!), but I won't hesitate to use Google Maps when I need to. Keeping my Gmail account as well, although I do like using ProtonMail, and I'm not getting rid of that, either.

Best of luck to all! Mods, thanks for letting this thread go on, it has really helped me look at different sides of things.

[alexjack]

Also, that Google and Facebook have no interest in little old me. They build a profile on you, secondarily for your benefit, but firstly for their benefit. That is clear, no?

And why should I care about that. I am not easily manipulated. If I like something I will bite, If I do not I will not regardless of their profile on me or their attempts to influence me. For me the benefits outweigh their non-existent influence on me.

Same here. They advertise based on what I like.

Well.. I like Demolition Ranch.. I will however never buy any of the products displayed there.. *shrug*
I also like Snake Discovery.. will I get me a snake or snake supplies? Nope.



By the way: Hi Demolitia!!

I'm not sure the model is as limited as "find out what they like with high accuracy, then show them ads for what they like". Referring to more to Facebook (I think it's likely that Google operate similarly), the model works by changing "you" into someone that is more easily engaged and receptive to ads. For example, if you're more politically extreme in some way, then it's easier to keep you engaged. It doesn't matter which way your are pushed, as long as you are more engaged and more receptive to whichever ads they show you. I agree that advertisers have been influencing us for a long time, but this is another level and I find it disturbing.

I hope you're correct that this can be effectively countered by being informed and alert. I'm not so sure. We've all got human brains with the same loop holes and psychological levers to pull.

[Eadwine Rose]

Yes this can be dealt with when you use your brain.

Basically not getting worked up over stuff you shouldn't be getting worked up over will help a lot. Lighten up. We all die one day, what is the use worrying over all this when there is a LOT more serious stuff to worry about. Like family and friends.

[alexjack]

Yes this can be dealt with when you use your brain.

Basically not getting worked up over stuff you shouldn't be getting worked up over will help a lot. Lighten up. We all die one day, what is the use worrying over all this when there is a LOT more serious stuff to worry about. Like family and friends.

Well, it is the thread topic

[KBD]

Yes this can be dealt with when you use your brain.

Basically not getting worked up over stuff you shouldn't be getting worked up over will help a lot. Lighten up. We all die one day, what is the use worrying over all this when there is a LOT more serious stuff to worry about. Like family and friends.

Agreed. Getting worked up is useless.
Being informed can help though, especially when it informs our decisions.
Here in the U.S. back in the 1970s we had a phone company monopoly. Lousy service, high prices, and no other options. Thank God we had leadership wise enough to break up that mess.
We have something similar now. If you use the Internet you cannot avoid Google/Alphabet. Skip Gmail? You still end up on their servers because someone you send email to has Gmail. Google servers power a number of businesses. If you don't have an iPhone you are using Google/Android. Google can't be fully avoided even if you try hard.
About the only thing we can do is ask our leaders to hold Google/Alphabet's feet to the fire. Hold them accountable. Remove special protections they have been given over the years. Make sure they are a fair player on the Internet, and world stage. This was done to Microsoft when they got too big, now it's Alphabet's turn and a few others. This is our best hope and what we should encourage and support in our leaders.
But getting upset does no good. Don't lose any sleep over Google.

[richb]

Here in the U.S. back in the 1970s we had a phone company monopoly. Lousy service, high prices, and no other options. Thank God we had leadership wise enough to break up that mess.
We have something similar now.

We do? Lousy service, high prices, and no other options? That does not seem to me to describe Goggle.

[BV206]

What do folks here like to use instead of Google Maps?

If I need a web based map I use Open Street Map or Open Topo Map.
I hate Google. The only product of theirs that I use is Google Earth but you have to set it to:

• no cookies

• use external browser

• no access to local files

• some others I forgot because I don't have it installed on my MX USB that I'm using right now.

Just to be safe I don't store anything under My Places I keep all my maps in different KML and KMZ files in their own directory that I have to open from the menu.

GE is amazing and it runs well on linux. I tried KDE Marble instead of Google Earth but it sucks too much.

[JeffA]

GE is amazing and it runs well on linux. I tried KDE Marble instead of Google Earth but it sucks too much.

I often use Gnome-Maps, especially if I want to look at satellite photos. I also have Marble installed, but don't use it much as Gnome Maps which usually works better for me, even though at least at first it seems very basic with few features. I do use Marble if I want to look at topo maps.

I also have Google Earth installed when I need extra features, but I try to make do with Maps and Marble as much as possible.

If you don't have an iPhone you are using Google/Android.

I don't have an iPhone or a Google/Android thing. I guess I'm about the last one in the world who doesn't want to be "connected" all the time.

[KBD]

Here in the U.S. back in the 1970s we had a phone company monopoly. Lousy service, high prices, and no other options. Thank God we had leadership wise enough to break up that mess.
We have something similar now.

We do? Lousy service, high prices, and no other options? That does not seem to me to describe Goggle.

I was just pointing out a company that had too much power and control in one industry. Google has been a bad actor in other ways.