IMHO, targeted advertising is completely ok, as long as you know you're being targeted. I think most people can deduce that their actions on Facebook change their ads on Facebook.
The problem is when you walk into an auto parts store, have to wait in line, so you play whatever the newest game is on your phone. The game figures out where you are via gps, reports that to facebook, and suddenly you're getting car part ads on facebook. This is not clear to most people. And I'd even say this behavior is just fine if you opt-in to it.
And it gets worse. You have a friend in your contacts list (which you shared with Facebook for some reason). Facebook thinks that they probably share the same interests as you, so now THEY are getting auto parts ads.
At least for me, as long as this is all clear and accepted, I'm fine with it. As of now, consumers either don't have a choice, or the choice they do have is so hidden that they don't know they have it.
The problem is when you walk into an auto parts store, have to wait in line, so you play whatever the newest game is on your phone. The game figures out where you are via gps, reports that to facebook, and suddenly you're getting car part ads on facebook. This is not clear to most people. And I'd even say this behavior is just fine if you opt-in to it.
And it gets worse. You have a friend in your contacts list (which you shared with Facebook for some reason). Facebook thinks that they probably share the same interests as you, so now THEY are getting auto parts ads.
At least for me, as long as this is all clear and accepted, I'm fine with it. As of now, consumers either don't have a choice, or the choice they do have is so hidden that they don't know they have it.