Third Learning Journal

    

     This Weeks readings focused on how applications use and track data and information and how business capitalize on that information. For starters, we need to understand that the services we use and enjoy on social media are not actually free. Corporations use targeted adds to market their products to individuals who's search histories align with their userbase. This is why the algorithms of different social media platforms seem to recommend similar products, and coincidently recommend other users who buy similar products to follow. To give an example of just how powerful this recommendation algorithm is, When me and my wife first started dating, our Instagram feeds looked very different. The type of content was very particular to ourselves. however as we continued to date, and share videos and reels with each other, our feeds began to become more closely similar. Now it is not uncommon for us to receive multiple of the same recommended reels for each other. 

    As convenient as this is, the reality is that our data does not truly belong to us. The cooperation's essentially have us sign away any rights to our data's in order for use to use their service. In this way, they can sell and exchange our data to other companies. So while a company might not necessarily know your name, they will know what your interests and likes are. In this way, we are voluntarily giving away our right to privacy. 

    As nefarious as it may seem, I am not completely against corporations using our data. companies invest millions into creating platforms that reward users for being on them. Either with little sound charms that go off whenever we get a message, to having big name celebrities' post constantly onto those platforms, which in a way give then a sense of legitimacy. Even the United States Military understand s the importance of social media when trying to recruit new members. Social media can act as a tool to try and reinvent a companies image. The Army for example is trying to move away from the classical yelling and screaming drill sergeant to a more inclusive Army with people of  different backgrounds and ethnicities. 

    Companies use social media as a Realtime metric on how their company is doing. Corporations are not only utilizing the data of users to market products, but also make important business decisions depending on how their brand is baking viewed. For example, when Kanye was making antisemitic comments, Adidas distanced themselves from his brand and influence. In the past, celebrities' were simply seen as a marketing tool. Now the relationship between celebrity and company is much more even in the sense that celebrities have much more sway on public opinion of companies. 

In conclusion, social media is one of those things that whether you are a person or a company, you are forced to be apart of. Yes you can take down all of your social media profiles, but even something as simple as a Google search still contributes to the "user profile" where companies can keep track of and monitor your actions. For example, looking at the advertisements setting in my Google profile, I was able to find that Google held some interesting beliefs about me. For starters they believer that I spoke three languages, they also believed that based on my search history, I had a relatively high income. However some of the other information they had on me was more accurate. For example, they knew my Gender, if I attended college or not, my relationship status and if I was a parent or not. I challenge you all to look for yourselves and see what Google knows or doesn't know about you based on your data.