How does FB know I've been searching for security cameras?

[AJL308]

So, yesterday I was on a work computer searching for security cameras. My FB was not logged in on the computer in question - or any others at work.

Yesterday evening and this morning virtually every ad on my FB feed (on my phone) is for security cameras. This is clearly not coincidence. How does FB know that I was searching for security cameras in order to show me the ads?

[RizzoTheRat]

Are you logged in to Google, eg for GMail, on your work computer? the advertising could come from another provider who's also tied in with something else you're logged in to.

[CharlieCrocodile]

Cookies, it's all about the cookies!

[anonymous-user]

https://www.facebook.com/off_facebook_activity

[Shrugging for Victory]

Use Firefox and embrace containers.

[sparkyhx]

some sites dont like firefox cos of that.........but I'm weening myself off chrome cos of all the tracking. FF is my default browser.

Cookies and all that gubbins after website address www.trackmeeverywhere.com/offer?source=google&medium=cpc&campaign=422777070&adgroup=29604790110&keyword="summer-offer-2021-"&security cameras&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8oO27rSr8gIVkrrtCh16YQruEAAYASAAEgLKq_D_BwE

all play a part.

[Road2Ruin]

Have you had the covid vacine? ....just saying.. lol

[Sheets Tabuer]

I hate it when all those security cameras pop up that I've been searching for, big thick veiny throbbing cameras

[Road2Ruin]

Sheets Tabuer said:

I hate it when all those security cameras pop up that I've been searching for, big thick veiny throbbing cameras

That's a little....err...niche

[AJL308]

RizzoTheRat said:

Are you logged in to Google, eg for GMail, on your work computer? the advertising could come from another provider who's also tied in with something else you're logged in to.

Nope, none of my personal stuff was logged-in on the work computer. Actually, my account on here was but that's it.

[Sheepshanks]

AJL308 said:

Yesterday evening and this morning virtually every ad on my FB feed (on my phone) is for security cameras. This is clearly not coincidence. How does FB know that I was searching for security cameras in order to show me the ads?

You spoke about them and your phone heard you.

[anonymous-user]

This may help.....

https://uk.pcmag.com/social-media/132568/how-to-st...


Cookies? That's ancient old school & easily blocked.

https://www.facebook.com/business/learn/facebook-a...

[AJL308]

Sheepshanks said:

AJL308 said:

Yesterday evening and this morning virtually every ad on my FB feed (on my phone) is for security cameras. This is clearly not coincidence. How does FB know that I was searching for security cameras in order to show me the ads?

You spoke about them and your phone heard you.

I did consider that as I know I mentioned what I was doing to someone in the room at the time. This article, however, tends to suggest that Facebook isn't actually listening to people as it would require staggering amounts of data transfer. What it goes on to mention later is pretty frightening though - if true!

https://newatlas.com/computers/facebook-not-secret...

Still doesn't explain how FB knew what I was searching for on a totally unrelated computer.

[AJL308]

Dave_ST220 said:

This may help.....

https://uk.pcmag.com/social-media/132568/how-to-st...


Cookies? That's ancient old school & easily blocked.

https://www.facebook.com/business/learn/facebook-a...

Wow, interesting info!

So, over 1,300 sites have shared info with FB about my visits. Interestingly, not any of the sites relating to my security camera searches so I'm still at a loss to know how FB knew I was looking for them because they clearly did!

[JustGREENI]

You're only one click away...

[Zoon]

Install Brave browser

[Prak]

AJL308 said:

RizzoTheRat said:

Are you logged in to Google, eg for GMail, on your work computer? the advertising could come from another provider who's also tied in with something else you're logged in to.

Nope, none of my personal stuff was logged-in on the work computer. Actually, my account on here was but that's it.

You ... Posted on here asking about security cameras?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[ReverendCounter]

You've made some connection previously between your personal device and the work wifi, or you've logged in to personal email at work, or made some other connection between your 'away from work' life and your professional work. This could include your phone (android?) even just recognising your work wifi and going some background task. You've been identified but likely only under certain/limited circumstances, which is why you haven't seen this before until now.

[anonymous-user]

AJL308 said:

Wow, interesting info!

So, over 1,300 sites have shared info with FB about my visits. Interestingly, not any of the sites relating to my security camera searches so I'm still at a loss to know how FB knew I was looking for them because they clearly did!

Have you EVER logged into FB on the computer you were searching on?

[ecs]

You don't need to have ever logged into Facebook for them to be able to track you. Lots of other companies track your activities and the data gets sold off. Got an ad blocker installed or declined their cookies? Don't worry, they can track you based on your browser, installed fonts, JavaScript settings, IP and various other forensic techniques. If a government was doing this then there would be a major uproar, but because it's a tech company, you agreed to the t&c's and actively handed over your personal details it's all ok!