I think it’s possible that some minor actor is doing it (which I suppose would mean it’s almost certain that someone does it), but it’s likely not done at scale or at a big actor such as Facebook, Samsung or Google.
Most people who are creeped out about things like “I talked to my friend about traveling to Aruba yesterday and today on Facebook I have ads for trips to Aruba!”
First of all you could have had those ads all year but only noticed after the discussion. That’s the simplest explanation.
But also, if this was indeed a friend (or someone who was ever e.g. the recipient of the same email as you, or has friends in common with you etc) then that person perhaps shared that they were in Aruba recently. Since the two of you were in the same location when you talked, a clever advertiser could show you ads for products or services that people they think you interacted with have already bought - such as a hotel stay in Aruba.
I’d really like to hear if anyone has first hand experience with spying like this - and the fact that no one has yet come forward and confirmed it suggests it must be rare.
Surely it couldn't stay a secret in the industry. Especially as plenty of people spoke up against other questionable practices.
Maybe it's like the dieselgate thing where various engineers may not see the big picture, but I honestly do not believe this is the case. I have a strong feeling that for vast majority of people, ads have a significant effect on your purchases, perhaps you were not thinking about traveling to Aruba but after couple of your friends went there, talked to you about and you got bunch of ads showing beautiful Aruba you decided to go. They don't need to listen to you to "get you".
Most people who are creeped out about things like “I talked to my friend about traveling to Aruba yesterday and today on Facebook I have ads for trips to Aruba!”
First of all you could have had those ads all year but only noticed after the discussion. That’s the simplest explanation.
But also, if this was indeed a friend (or someone who was ever e.g. the recipient of the same email as you, or has friends in common with you etc) then that person perhaps shared that they were in Aruba recently. Since the two of you were in the same location when you talked, a clever advertiser could show you ads for products or services that people they think you interacted with have already bought - such as a hotel stay in Aruba.
I’d really like to hear if anyone has first hand experience with spying like this - and the fact that no one has yet come forward and confirmed it suggests it must be rare.