Consumers Becoming Consumed

As of this moment, I could probably find your contact information, stuff you enjoy, hobbies, social media sites, where your going to school and even where you live. Of course I won't. This is all theoretical. But, are you aware of all the stuff you have out on the internet? When you click that "I Agree to the Terms and Conditions" button or the "Create Account" button, do you know all of the information you just put out there for everybody to see?

This is how it starts. We press that button and then they start to follow our every like and dislike, until, boom. We fall into their trap. Who is they you might ask? They are companies and brands.

Have you even read the Terms and Conditions? Do you really Agree?

After watching The Persuaders in class, I was shown a whole new side to brands and advertisements.  They go through so much trouble just to get noticed. But, is stalking our every post really necessary? I never knew how much information was accessible through my social media accounts, or even posts I like.

That information you just put on the internet is being stored somewhere. That information could easily be accessed by huge corporations and when they find it they'll look for patterns and label us. They will make us a target and shoot ads towards us. They will try and persuade us by using our own information against us! Am I the only one who finds this evil and creepy? I don't go on the internet that often, but even my information is floating out in the land of interwebs and is being followed and targeted.

This is a gold mine of information for brands.

By looking at things we like, these companies will try to sell us more of those things or make it seem as if it's something we like. If you don't believe you're being followed, go on your computer and wait for the ads to pop up. Are they things you're interested in? Are the ads on your social media site similar to items you have pressed the like button on? It's not a coincident. You're being targeted, just as every other person in this society is.

Personally, I feel as if this is a lack of privacy. Whenever I go the internet, I can't help but think of what huge company if following me around (virtually, of course). I am exposed and every account made or click of a button, I am exposing even more of myself. We are being consumed by brands and companies. They eat every tweet, post or like we put out. They are targeting us and stealing away our privacy all for one reason. To sell their product and stay in the game of advertising.

The next time you are about to post a picture, like a post or create a new social media account, just be aware of the information you are giving up. We are being consumed and we aren't even aware of it.
On that happy note, have a nice day and beware of the sneaky buttons!