AJ Nelson

SOC-255 Final

Author: AJ Nelson

1. My main source of news online is Reddit.com. Reddit has 3 parties that track me. Trackers record and track your browsing data to help your browsing experience or to give sellers an idea of what to market toward you based on your browsing history. 3rd party tackers record your activities and share with other parties to be able to market to you. Amazon does not track you as you voluntarily give information that helps them discover what to recommend to you and enhance your browsing experience. Your data footprint affects others not just yourself as you and your profiles are all connected to other sources online and with other people and communities. This allows trackers to use information gathered from every site that you visit and will track your entire browsing history. It is very difficult to avoid being tracked. There are several software programs that help determine who is tracking you: Lightbeam, Ghostery, disconnect.me, Myshadow, and Trackography. Your privacy essentially costs what you are willing to pay. How much of your personal data are you willing to give websites and organizations in return for the seemingly fair services and benefits that are provided. In actuality it is a transaction of information for those services.  

2. The economic origin of online tracking was to create a consumer profile that would enhance the browsing experience. Cookies remember you when you input information in a website. First party and third party cookies exist. First party helps you on the website as it is developed by the host of the webpage. Third party cookies market ads at you based on your browsing history and information. They are allowed by the host but are created by other companies. The cookies bring up targeted ads that cater to your browsing history. Pop up ads didn’t work as people just found ways to get around them. Cookies and tracking your info did. Advertising uses data gathered on you to market ads at you that resemble your browsing profile. There are several options for survival in this cookie environment. You can block cookies in the browser or use an add-on that shows what cookies are running and allows you to disconnect; sharemenot, which blocks social media from using your data. These are somewhat effective but because companies are getting smarter about tracking you it is very difficult to escape tracking entirely without quitting the internet.

3. Using algorithms and “like mining” can pretty much reveal your entire personal profile. Certain algorithms are better than spouse at judging traits. It can also predict your age, sex, iq. They tracks what you watch and like and enjoy. Addictions, health, looks, friends, connections are all things that it is able to determine. Illuminus was created to show that social media can be used practically. It uses inputs on social media to give insight to character, whether you’d be likely to pay a loan back or not. Algorithms exist that track your history and events as well as likes and interests. In Europe you are not as digitally protected as in America. Limiting one’s presence online is one of the few ways to protect. However, this is fairly impractical as the internet it needed for communication and many jobs. Even without a Facebook profile or other social media you are not safe as cookies and plugins are still capable of tracking you for just visiting their site. The University of Cambridge did a study to determine your personality based on what you like and one-click answers to questionnaires.

4. Apps track what you’re doing and relay that information back to the company and algorithms to market to you much like a cookie. I have 16-30 apps, no one can access my phone, and I’m ready if I lose my phone. Google tracks your location based on ip address, gps, and wifi. It shows where you go and what you do. Yes I know how to turn off geolocation, at home. It can use your info and broadcast your location. I wouldn’t give up anything for free wifi, noneofyourbusiness. Protestors were informed of their illegal activities via text, which was accomplished by sending out a mass text to all cellphones located in the vicinity through tracking. I have nothing to hide. Our Location and behaviors are being tracked. Uninstalling apps that track you and turning off geolocation would help however there are some apps and phone services that constantly track you regardless. There are a few ways that you can defend your phone: Clueful by Bitdefender tells you what information apps use. You can get rid of apps you don’t need and disable geolocation. Phones literally track everything you do and everywhere you go.

5. Algorithms can process mass amounts of data and give relatively accurate answers based on inputs. Big data is large quantities of data used for analysis. Too much to handle. Need more data to solve problems. Big data can be analyzed using algorithms to give back useful information on things and people. When clicking on a page, cookies for ads run algorithms to determine what to market towards you. Myths often give data a voice. Algorithms used to determine bank loans. We are categorized in to sections of big data based on our browsing and interactions. Algorithms are being used like precogs to determine whether you’re likely to be a criminal or not based on many inputs of data. Chicago Police used lots of data to determine the areas and populations where crime would be highest and based on the results determined that certain groups may be more likely to be involved in criminal activity. Janet Vertesi tried to hide her pregnancy from big data by using private browsing, using fake email accounts, using dead drops for groceries and baby related materials. Prejudiced outcomes based on browsing data and social media could be a breach of our civil rights if used to enforce predetermined behavior. Some algorithms that dominate our world are Secure Hash Algorithm, which determine authenticity of downloads; Integer Factorization, which uses lots of computation; and Random Number Generator, which is pseudo but does the job.

6. Filter bubble takes in to account what we and our friends look at and then caters to our interests by displaying things that relate to what we spend time on or like. It gives us a biased view of what we see because it filters the content based on what we have looked at in the past. What we see is still truth it is just the truth that coincides more with what we relate to rather than in an unbiased all sides equal fashion. It is somewhat similar to old media practices in that your information came from the sources you chose, influenced by the people that created the content. This time around we pick what we want to see because the internet caters to our interests using algorithms and tracking. Optimization allows for the information that we want to see to be readily available. Again, the problem is that it is formed to our interests and we may not be receiving the full spectrum of news and information. Filter bubbles give us a biased view on what we see by filtering out content that does not necessarily match up to our interests. Mass media disappears because the media we now received is catered to our interests rather than to all. It gives us information and media related to our viewing and search history. Facebook claims it is the user’s fault for biased news feeds. They claim it is the user who controls what they click on and what they view. However, it’s the algorithms and tracking that decides what will be shown to us next based on the previous viewing patterns and interests instead of displaying all information related to the topic. One might break the filter bubbles by clicking on a wide variety of links and posts to flesh out what will be catered to the user, giving a balanced feedback system rather than one dedicated solely to the user’s personal interests.

7. The internet was viewed as a utopia because it was a user controlled environment where anyone could publish anything and everyone had access to it. Edward Snowden revealed that the internet was being used to spy on everyone, using their information to track and profile. The government uses many of the same algorithms that the market uses in order to track and profile users. They are able to figure out your interests and patterns just like advertising companies do in order to market toward you, or in this case to keep track of you. 9/11 influenced people to be more tolerant of surveillance in order to combat terrorism; however, few realize how drastic it has become. You can distinguish security and privacy however they go hand in hand. You cannot have security without privacy, and you cannot have privacy without security. Top down use of data would be people trying to control data. Bottom up use of data would be using data to solve problems. A world in which privacy and security work together would be most optimal in my mind and the data from do-not-track seems to agree. Being connected to the world and maintaining absolute privacy in this day and age is pretty much out of the question as you would need to drop off the grid in order to keep your privacy. I believe that as long as there are significant rules in place and that the people have a say in matters, surveillance and big data can be put to good use without infringing on our right to privacy. I personally am not very concerned with the current state of affairs as the bills and laws that would further limit our privacy are continually shot down. Yes some changes should be made but generally you have to trust your government. They should be more forthcoming and informative but the bridge between privacy and security is one that still needs work. Edward Snowden has shown us the power that the government has over our information. It has made people aware just how easy it is to access their information and just how much is shared through the internet. The resistance to mass surveillance has increased as well. The courts have determined that some of the surveillance done on U.S. citizens are illegal, and software companies are putting strong privacy protection in to their programs. Privacy is essential to freedom in the U.S. as it gives us control over our lives. The right to privacy is a genuine human right and with the increased surveillance put upon us through the internet the government is on the verge, if not already over, in to infringing on our freedom and basic human rights. The future will be a balance between privacy and security and allowing the people to know exactly what the government has access to and a say in what they do with it.

1. Main source of news online is Reddit.com. Reddit has 3 parties. Trackers record and track your browsing data. Record your activities and share with other parties to be able to market to you. Amazon does not track you as you voluntarily give this info. It affects others not just yourself as you and your profiles are all connected to other sources online and with other people and communities.

2. The economic origin of online tracking was to create a consumer profile. Cookies remember you when your input info. First party and third party cookies exist. First party helps you on the website. Third party market ads at you based on your browsing history and information. The cookies bring up targeted ads that cater to your browsing history. Pop up ads didn’t work. Cookies and tracking your info did. Advertising uses data gathered on you to market ads at you that resemble your browsing profile.

3. Using algorithms and “like mining” can pretty much reveal your entire personal profile. Better than spouse at judging traits. Age, sex, iq. Tracks what you watch and like and enjoy. Addictions, health, looks, friends, connections. Illuminus created to show that social media can be used practically. Uses inputs on social media to give insight to character, whether you’d be likely to pay a loan back or not. Algorithms that track your history and events as well as likes and interests. In Europe you are not as digitally protected as in America. Limiting one’s presence online is one of the few ways to protect.

4. Apps track what you’re doing and relay that information back to the company and algorithms to market to you. Like a cookie. 16-30 apps, no one can access, ready to lose my phone. Google tracks your location based on ip address, gps, wifi. Shows where you go and what you do. Yes I know how to turn of geolocation, at home. It can use your info and broadcast. Give up nothing for free wifi, noneofyourbusiness. Protestors were informed of their illegal activities via text. Nothing to hide. Location and behaviors.

5. Algorithms can process mass amounts of data and give relatively accurate answers based on inputs. Big data is large quantities of data used for analysis. Too much to handle. Need more data to solve problems. Big data can be analyzed using algorithms to give back useful information on things and people. When clicking on a page cookies for ads run algorithms to determine what to market towards you. Myths often give data a voice. Algorithms used to determine bank loans.

6. Filter bubble takes in to account what we and our friends look at and then caters to our interests by displaying things that relate to what we spend time on or like. It gives us a biased view of what we see because it filters the content based on what we have looked at in the past. What we see is still truth it is just the truth that coincides more with what we relate to rather than in an unbiased all sides equal fashion. It is somewhat similar to old media practices in that your information came from the sources you chose, influenced by the people that created the content. This time around we pick what we want to see because the internet caters to our interests using algorithms and tracking. Optimization allows for the information that we want to see to be readily available. Again, the problem is that it is formed to our interests and we may not be receiving the full spectrum of news and information.

Amazon

Authors:

AJ Nelson: http://afatcaptain.tumblr.com/

http://vikkaaaaa24.tumblr.com/

http://digisockt.tumblr.com/

History:

Amazon was launched July 5, 1994 as an electronic commerce site with its headquarters in Seattle, Washington. The company was founded by Jeff Bezos and quickly become the largest internet based retailer in the U.S. Amazon also has its own line of hardware products. The company expanded and is a retailer to many countries across the globe.

Features:

Amazon sells a variety of products. You can find beauty supplies, clothing, jewelry, gourmet foods, sporting goods, pet supplies, books, CDs, DVDs, computers, furniture, toys, garden supplies, bedding and almost anything else you might want to buy. Beside its tremendous product range, Amazon makes every possible attempt to customize the buyer’s experience. For example, when regular users arrive at the homepage, they find recommendations just for you. Amazon knows you by name (Profile) and tries to be your personal shopper.

Profile:

In order to construct a profile on Amazon.com, an individual must provide personal information such as, first/last name, email, and must create a password of their choice. An individual uses this profile to browse through the website to find products they are interested in and will potentially purchase those products. When the individual logs into the account, Amazon is able to personalize it to your interests in various products due to the past products that the individual had previously ordered or looked at.

Friendlists/followers/matches:

Amazon does not utilize a friendlist system. The target audience for Amazon is the general consumer as the website is used for shopping. The greatest interaction between users is conducted when reviewing products. It is an e-commerce community where users can review products but that is the extent of user interaction.

Tools for public, semi-public, and private communication and/or broadcasting:

The primary focus for Amazon is on buying and selling products, however, there is a large focus on product reviews and information. Users are able to write reviews about products they buy, and readers are able to view some limited information about the writer of the review in his/her profile. Although, if users don’t want their Amazon profile to be viewable, they’re able to change their settings so it will be hidden.

Stream based updates/news feed:

Amazon has created a new way for users to discover products and save them to a wishlist with a feature called Amazon stream. On a page offering a grid of product photos, users can browsed products for both genders, and click a button to save items to their own collecting. The page indicates that the items featured on the site will be updated daily and consist of sponsored listing.

Performative infrastructures:

Algorithms are a series of codes that commands the computer how to proceed through instructions and inputs to arrive at conclusions. Amazon uses algorithms to help cater to consumers and earn more revenue through their increases purchases. Amazon, like google, uses keyword searches to look up just what you are searching for. Amazon then uses those keywords to select categories that relate to your search and provide suggestions to the user. Amazon will also factor in your viewing history to give you more suggestions on products that are similar to what you have viewed. Your purchase history will also influence what Amazon suggests for you. Adding to your Wish List is another input for the algorithms that Amazon uses to add to the items it shows you. People will see suggestions for products based on all of theses inputs. Amazon tracks all of these inputs and helps cater to the consumer by giving product suggestion and related products as you shop. Over time your purchases and views are all added to the algorithms that help cater to you as a user. Amazon tracks all your purchases from the time you create an account and continually gives you better suggestions based on your views and purchases. (Keys to Understanding Amazon’s Algorithms, Sansevieri)

Structural Affordances:

Persistence - Product reviews are limited (Privacy)

Replicability - This does not necessarily apply to Amazon as there is not user generated content beyond product reviews.

Scalability - Also difficult to measure as there is not user generated content and everyone is able to view every product available.

Searchability- Able to find a vast amount of products through a search tool.

(Renninger, 2015)

Dynamics and Social practices:

Amazon is interesting as it is more of a Participatory Media Site than a Social Networking Site. Thus there is not a lot of social interaction involved in Amazon. The use of Wish Lists is one of the few ways to interact with others on Amazon as you are able to share what products you’ve put in your wish list so that others may view it and get an idea of what your interests are. The main dynamic of Amazon is that of a marketplace and retailer site online. Thus, as far as social practices are concerned, it is fairly constrained by its features and use. As there is not even a friend list there is a lack of public communication. The platform is very personal and intimate as you are the only one to see your purchases. The only counter public communication is in the form of negative reviews given to products. It is what you as a user want and others cannot view your purchase history or even your wish list unless they are given that information. Essentially this platform fulfills the wants and desires of the user without influence from other users on Amazon. However, there is a somewhat indirect influence in that you can rate purchases. This is the primary interacting platform of Amazon. Users may review and rate products and you can view the other products that users have reviewed giving weight to their reviews.

Polymedia environment:

There is little to no polymedia interaction with Amazon. It is pretty much limited to itself as the only thing you can really share is your Wish List. Amazon does not interact with other media sites as it is primarily a retailer of goods not a social networking platform. Users may interact with each other within Amazon but only by reviewing products and answering questions other users might have about products. It is a platform used by consumers who want to shop any place they are and at any time. There need not be much interaction beyond reviews though there might be a possibility of sharing your purchases on other media sites for more reviews or for fun.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon.com

http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/amazon-com-inc-history/