Targeted advertisement for loans.

GBbusines

Are loans companies targeting people once they search for one loan by posting adverts on all their social media profiles, on every website they use such as news papers website and even on their Smart TVs?

If so what can be done about this?

Is there already laws to prevent this?

If not is there any groups forming to stop this?

I feel like it is like using subliminal messages except they are just blatantly in your face 24/7.

forgotmyname

No.

My bank does not know my username on here or on social media to know how to target me.

What can be done, dont click adverts. Block adverts simples.

GBbusines

I never mentioned banks. When people are searching loans on their Smart Phones or online they are then being bombarded with adverts for loans on all their personal accounts and on the banner adverts on websites they visit. This means there is something going on whereby companies are getting individuals search history when they look up loans and then getting constantly targeted, this should be illegal.

benbay001

It shouldn't be illegal. Its not costing you a penny and allows free to use websites like Facebook to keep operating.
If it really annoys you then clearing your cookies should solve it and then you can get generic adverts for things you don't care about instead.

AnotherJoe

It's not just loans it happens with everything. Click an ad for holidays and you'll get ads for those instead. You know those cookie prompts you just click "yes" to, dont do that. You can opt out of cookies or them collecting personalised ads

SnowTiger

GBbusines wrote: »

Are loans companies targeting people once they search for one loan by posting adverts on all their social media profiles, on every website they use such as news papers website and even on their Smart TVs?

If so what can be done about this?

Is there already laws to prevent this?

If not is there any groups forming to stop this?

I feel like it is like using subliminal messages except they are just blatantly in your face 24/7.

That's the way the Internet works.

A good chunk of what it offers is free because it's funded by adverts.

I'm surprised you haven't noticed targeted advertising before.

There are lots of things you can do to prevent it. You could ask for guidance on the MSE Techie Stuff board, however a Google search ('prevent internet targetted advertising') would probably throw up good explanations of why it happens and how to prevent it; as well as tracking your search. :rotfl:

SnowTiger

GBbusines wrote: »

This means there is something going on whereby companies are getting individuals search history...

Presumably you use a search engine such as Google. They keep a record of your searches.

It's a bit like using a Tesco Clubcard at Tesco. When you do so you furnish Tesco with details about the items you purchase.

They don't have to search through your cupboards at home to know you like crisps and biscuits; you tell them that every time you flash your Clubcard.

GBbusines

Thanks everyone.

charlotte1994

Privacy is dead, if you search for things they will ad target you. I've never searched for a loan so I have never seen a loan ad. Imo it's dangerous as they don't know the persons financial situation and they could get into more debt.

MEM62

GBbusines wrote: »

Are loans companies targeting people once they search for one loan by posting adverts on all their social media profiles, on every website they use such as news papers website and even on their Smart TVs?
A lot of advertising is targeted, not just loans. It's been going on for years. Browse eBay and then look at your Facebook page or Yahoo. You'll see ads for the products you have just been looking at.

If so what can be done about this?
You can use ad blockers if you wish.

Is there already laws to prevent this?
No, why should there be? Firstly, I would rather see ads that have at least been tailored to reflect something that I might be interested in and, secondly, if I want to I can use an ad blocker and not see them at all.

If not is there any groups forming to stop this?
No need. If you want it stopped just stop it yourself. It's not as if this falls into the category of worldwide conspiracy that requires the people to rise up.

I feel like it is like using subliminal messages except they are just blatantly in your face 24/7.
Blatant and subliminal are polar opposites. Nothing alike at all.

If you don't like it, block it. It is a simple as that.

BoGoF

Or just do what everyone else does is ignore and accept it is the price we pay for a 'free' internet