Everywhere you go online, there’s someone trying to sell you something. In fact, digital ad spending overtook traditional offline ads in 2019. Google may be a leader in online advertising, but it’s not the only option. Kim talks to Heath Shaffer, CEO and founder of NicheREV, about other options publishers are using to maximize their profits and what it means for consumers.
Shortcut to reading annoying privacy policies
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Tech privacy policies are confusing on purpose. I know, big shocker! But I’m always surprised by just how difficult these things are to comb through and what they hide.
Today, I’m calling out the biggest offenders — and sharing one of my favorite, easy-to-use privacy tools.
The worst of the worst
I read these privacy policies so you don’t have to. Some of these companies are collecting far more than you might realize.
- Disney shares your data with third parties. After that, they have no control over how it’s used.
- Instagram tracks your exact location and may share it for targeted advertising.
- Zoom records and shares your meeting data (including video, audio, and chat logs!) with third parties.
- Wikipedia automatically logs and stores your IP address.
- UPS transfers your personal data to other countries, where data protection laws might not be as strict.
- Uber Eats keeps your info indefinitely — even after you deactivate your account.
- Netflix shares your viewing habits and personal information with TV networks, ISPs and other partners.
- Spotify collects and stores voice data, including conversations, through its voice assistant.
- Microsoft collects massive amounts of data, including what you type, your app usage and what’s on your clipboard.
- Yahoo reserves the right to update its privacy policy at any time, without notifying you.
Feeling a little creeped out? Me, too.
Cut to the chase
It’d be nice if we could wave a magic wand to see all the hidden privacy gotchas. The next best thing? These easy tips:
⌛ Time-saving tip: When you’re reviewing a company’s privacy policy on your computer, use Ctrl + F on Windows or Cmd + F on a Mac to quickly search for buzzwords like “sell,” “partners” and “affiliates.” Words like “geolocation” and “geotargeting” indicate your location information will be collected. Def search for those.
💬 Know the terms: Sections with names like “How we collect your personal data” show what a company gathers from you and how they do it. “How we use your personal information” is their take on why they need your data in the first place. “Business purposes” usually means they share it with third parties.
🎮 Protect the kids: Look for references to “COPPA” or the “Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act” to see how a company protects your kid’s data.
Phew, that’s a lot. I’m always on the hunt to shortcut some of the hard work of securing your privacy. That’s where Incogni comes in.
Smart ways to make more money and find new customers
Small business owners must build trust, set trends and share their customers’ values. Connecting with customers is one of the most important ways to make money.
Success starts close to home. Before connecting with customers, you must build strong bonds with your teammates. Tap or click here for five leadership secrets every small business owner should know.
I don’t need a snowblower: At least, not in Phoenix. Seeing ads for crap you’re not into is annoying. On Facebook, filter your advertising topics by going to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Account Center > Ad Preferences > Customize ads. Easy.
Trump deepfakes, Instagram's pedo networks & iPad tipping tactics
Plus, does it pay to go electric? Get the unfiltered truth about EV mileage. I talk to advertising guru Katy Huff about newsletter ads and her company, Madrev.co. Convert your iPhone into a mini metal detector and safeguard your phone from harmful apps.
🚘 Car wrap scam: You get a text saying big brands will pay you to wrap your car in advertising. After you fill out an application, a “rep” sends a cashier’s check and tells you to deposit it, then pay a local installer via Cash App. Plot twist: The check’s fake, it bounces later and you’re out thousands. Never stops.
🖨️ Print-happy warning: When you print a doc at FedEx, Staples or UPS, check the fine print. Their policies say they can use whatever you print for advertising or share it with unnamed third parties. No, thanks. UPS: “Sure, we’ll print your divorce papers … and maybe send them to Pepsi’s marketing team.”
How to remove yourself from US Search
Like it or not, your personal information is online for anyone to find. This can include your full name, address, phone number, police record, employment information and more. People search sites scrape this information from public records, court records, social media and other sources.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from FamilyTreeNow
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People search sites collect your information from publicly available sources and offer it to anyone interested, including thieves and scammers. There are countless sites like this. So, how do you protect your data? You need to remove it.
🍎 Bad apples: Apple just got a reality check from the National Advertising Division, which told them to cut it with the “available now” marketing for Apple Intelligence. Most of the shiny AI features they hyped aren’t ready. Apple Intelligence is like that friend who says, “I’m on my way” while still in the shower.
Space advertising: Imagine stepping outside to look at the stars … and seeing a giant glowing billboard in the sky. That could soon be a reality, with Russian companies planning to launch swarms of laser-equipped satellites to project light into Earth’s low orbit. The kicker? There’s no global ban on this yet.
June 10th, 2023
In this week’s show, does it pay to go electric? Get the unfiltered truth about EV mileage. Also, I talk to advertising guru Katy Huff about newsletter ads and her company, Madrev.co. All the new tech from Apple, government spies on man’s car collection and unmask scam websites’ creators.
It's tax time: 4 free and paid software options to file your return online
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The deadline for filing federal tax returns for the 2022 tax year is Tuesday, April 18. You don’t have to wait until the deadline, however. You can start filing today.
Are you planning to file electronically? You have a few options, including IRS Free File or Fillable Forms, tax prep sites and commercial software. You can scan important documents into a digital format using your phone or tablet. Tap or click here for more tax filing tips.
How NOT to sound dumb online: Common mistakes and grammar fixes
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The early days of social media were a place to keep in touch with classmates, friends and family. It’s devolved into a frenzy of privacy invasion, targeted advertising, trolls and fake news. Surprisingly, these are still the most popular digital platforms worldwide.
Own a business? 3 places to run ads
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Digital marketing makes advertising your business more accessible than ever. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy, especially if you’re diving into online advertising for the first time.
Along with where to advertise, you have to put a ton of thought into who your primary audience is and what ad types you want to use. You’ll also have to consider analytic capabilities, targeting strategies and — of course — the dreaded budget. It’s time to dust off your spreadsheets and get ready to look over every number.
How advertisers collect your data and target you with ads
Male, 38 years old, married, two kids under five, watched a YouTube video about lawn care, visited a home improvement store in the last 10 days, listened to a podcast about lawns, earns $68,000 a year in a management position, and lives in a certain zip code. That’s how specific advertising can be today. In this episode, I sit down with advertising CTO Premesh Purayil from Freestar to learn how it works and how to opt out of the data tracking.
Most dangerous thing you can do if you're new to crypto
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Investing in crypto can be exhilarating and scary at the same time. Massive fluctuations in the price of Bitcoin have had many glued to the trading boards. If you invested just $10 in Bitcoin in 2010, that would be worth approximately $10.3 million today.
Hiring? 3 questions to include in your next job posting
If you’re looking to attract new talent, it’s essential to have a social media strategy. After all, 79% of job seekers say they turn to social platforms when looking for new jobs, Zety data says. This number jumps to 86% if you’re specifically targeting younger talent, so if you don’t have a presence on some of the big job search websites, it’s time to hit the ground running.
Best of: Get paid for YOUR data
In this best of episode, Kim chats with author and computer scientist Jaron Lanier — one of the founding fathers of virtual reality — about what it could look like if we truly had control over our info online. You may think advertising runs the internet, but the big data behind it is where the real profits come from. We’re being followed all around the internet and tracked where we go through our phones, watches, tablets, cars, smart speakers and a multitude of other devices. If Big Tech can cash in on our data, why can’t we?
5 strategies to find the best Black Friday deals
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Black Friday is both a smart and overwhelming time to shop. On the one hand, there are plenty of deals to snag. On the other, there are so many deals to compare.
Follow these tips to ensure your Black Friday deal hunting is successful.