Being Watched is getting old, and it is becoming increasingly hard to avoid.

[iamwhatiseem]

I put this in legal, because this issue needs to be addressed in a legal way, which is the only way that it will be stopped.
What am I talking about? Companies who watch every single thing you do with anything that is connected to the internet - and making money off of you while they do it.
Example:
I have been a looong term user of Roku. IMO - the best option as a streaming device and platform. Although it's superiority over the past couple years has been seriously challenged.
- Anyway - I was deleting a few apps that I don't use really, one of those is "PBS Kids" app. The grandkids were big fans of this bear show, and they no longer are. So I don't need it.
I deleted it. Guess what? - LITERALLY - one minute later I get an email from PBS on my WORK email - that is not tied to ROKU, telling me how awesome PBS Kids is.
Yeah - that is not a coincidence.
My personal email is attached to Roku, my business email I use for absolutely nothing personal.
BUT - it is a domain that uses Gmail. And since my personal email is also Gmail - Google Chrome knows the same person accesses both of them - so yeah "**** it, let's send adverts to that one too"

This is old.

 

[1srelluc]

LOL....I look at it on the bright side.....I get all kinds of gun ads.

One actually worked out for me just this morning. I was looking for a UZI barrel to Form 1 an UZI with last evening and one of the sites I was looking at sent me a EM with the barrel I was looking at discounted 20% this morning. I bought it!

 

[toobfreak]

I put this in legal, because this issue needs to be addressed in a legal way, which is the only way that it will be stopped.
What am I talking about? Companies who watch every single thing you do with anything that is connected to the internet - and making money off of you while they do it.
Example:
I have been a looong term user of Roku. IMO - the best option as a streaming device and platform. Although it's superiority over the past couple years has been seriously challenged.
- Anyway - I was deleting a few apps that I don't use really, one of those is "PBS Kids" app. The grandkids were big fans of this bear show, and they no longer are. So I don't need it.
I deleted it. Guess what? - LITERALLY - one minute later I get an email from PBS on my WORK email - that is not tied to ROKU, telling me how awesome PBS Kids is.
Yeah - that is not a coincidence.
My personal email is attached to Roku, my business email I use for absolutely nothing personal.
BUT - it is a domain that uses Gmail. And since my personal email is also Gmail - Google Chrome knows the same person accesses both of them - so yeah "**** it, let's send adverts to that one too"

This is old.

Well, mistake #1 is using gmail for your email, especially both your emails.
Mistake #2 is giving places like Roku any valid email at all. I never give out valid personal data to anyone except those I want to be able to really contact me about really important stuff I care about.

30 years ago, I quit a job where I was designing some consumer electronics after asking what a chip was for that I was told had to go into the product that I could not find any necessity for and it came back that it was a proprietary chip that collected data on the user and reported it back to some central location.

They told me it was required by the government, so I found a job in another field I liked better anyway, told them **** you, and I quit.

 

[iamwhatiseem]

Well, mistake #1 is using gmail for your email, especially both your emails.
Mistake #2 is giving places like Roku any valid email at all. I never give out valid personal data to anyone except those I want to be able to really contact me about really important stuff I care about.

30 years ago, I quit a job where I was designing some consumer electronics after asking what a chip was for that I was told had to go into the product that I could not find any necessity for and it came back that it was a proprietary chip that collected data on the user and reported it back to some central location.

They told me it was required by the government, so I found a job in another field I liked better anyway, told them **** you, and I quit.

That personal email is, not sure, certainly close to 20 years old. In the late 90s to the early 2000s I was also deeply in tech. And it became obvious that Google is going to take over. It's beautiful simplicity was going to win, it didn't take a genius to figure that out.
Anyway - I liked Google back then, there more simpler approach to "just what works" was fantastic. Competitors like Gates/Microsoft who actually wanted to charge people "tolls" to us ethe internet on top of ISP provider cost. Google was a **** you to that mindless control freak that was Bill Gates.
Anyway - taking too long in saying why I chose gmail, because in the early 2000s - Google was not yet the monster that it is today.
And our company using gmail as a platform is not under my control.
ALSO - I was a very early adopter of streaming, and chose the best one by far - Roku. That was in 2013. Roku was/is a Linux device, to which I was a fan of, and obviously they were not, nor anyone else at that time, collecting user data. And an email account is required to use the device much like virtually every internet based device.

 

[toobfreak]

ALSO - I was a very early adopter of streaming, and chose the best one by far - Roku. That was in 2013.

I like Roku too.

And an email account is required to use the device much like virtually every internet based device.

I have a valid junk email address. It works, but I no longer use it. So if I gave it to Roku and if they are emailing me anything, I'll never know.

 

[iamwhatiseem]

I like Roku too.


I have a valid junk email address. It works, but I no longer use it. So if I gave it to Roku and if they are emailing me anything, I'll never know.

I do as well, but not back then. The evils of the internet were not yet here.
I have 3 emails -
1) Work. Absolutely only used for work.
2) Personal. Used for connections to banks, hospital etc. Professional only that people are tied to.
3) Internet email. I never send emails from this email to anyone. I only use it for websites that require an email. Any purchases etc. that is off the internet - this is the email. And holy cow is it jammed packed to the rafters with junk mail. Even though, I have never sent email from it.

 

[toobfreak]

3) Internet email. I never send emails from this email to anyone. I only use it for websites that require an email. Any purchases etc. that is off the internet - this is the email. And holy cow is it jammed packed to the rafters with junk mail. Even though, I have never sent email from it.

We should all give out the email address of our congressman in Washington as our email. Maybe if these people in DC start getting deluged by spam, they will start respecting people's privacy.

 

[NewsVine_Mariyam]

I put this in legal, because this issue needs to be addressed in a legal way, which is the only way that it will be stopped.
What am I talking about? Companies who watch every single thing you do with anything that is connected to the internet - and making money off of you while they do it.
Example:
I have been a looong term user of Roku. IMO - the best option as a streaming device and platform. Although it's superiority over the past couple years has been seriously challenged.
- Anyway - I was deleting a few apps that I don't use really, one of those is "PBS Kids" app. The grandkids were big fans of this bear show, and they no longer are. So I don't need it.
I deleted it. Guess what? - LITERALLY - one minute later I get an email from PBS on my WORK email - that is not tied to ROKU, telling me how awesome PBS Kids is.
Yeah - that is not a coincidence.
My personal email is attached to Roku, my business email I use for absolutely nothing personal.
BUT - it is a domain that uses Gmail. And since my personal email is also Gmail - Google Chrome knows the same person accesses both of them - so yeah "**** it, let's send adverts to that one too"

This is old.

Remember this term: Irrevocable consent (or "in perpetuity" )

And you're right, it's like all of them go into panic mode if they think they're getting ready to lose as much as 1 cent of any of their revenue streams so they monitor everything to in order to pick up any clues that something may be afoot.

------------------------
From ChatGPT4o

What You’re Really Agreeing To When You Sign Up for Gmail (or Any Google Service)​

The Short Version:​

When you create a free Gmail account, you are giving Google permission to collect, use, and sometimes share your data — and you can't take that permission back. That includes data from:

• Your email content (even drafts)
• Your Google searches
• Your YouTube activity
• Your Google Docs, Photos, and Drive files
• Your location, if you use Android or Maps
• Your voice recordings, if you use Assistant or Search by voice
• And even some data collected through Google Nest devices, Pixel phones, and Chromebooks

Once you agree, you can’t undo this consent for the data that’s already been collected or for how it's been used.

What Is "Irrevocable Consent"?​

Irrevocable means you can't take it back later.

When you click “I agree” to Google’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, you’re giving permanent permission for Google to:

• Use your data to train AI, improve products, and target ads
• Store your content on its servers (emails, files, images, etc.)
• Share data with partners or authorities in specific cases
• Retain backups even if you delete content (depending on how it's stored)

Even if you delete your account, some data may remain in backups or logs, and Google still retains the rights you already gave them to use what you've shared or uploaded.

What Does That Mean for You (and Others)?​

Think of it like this:

You’re getting a free house (Gmail), but the builder (Google) gets keys to every room — forever.

You can use it, store stuff in it, and invite others over…
But the builder is always allowed to:

• Walk through and take notes
• Learn what you’re doing inside
• Use what they learn to improve their future buildings
• And show you ads for things based on what’s in your fridge, bookshelves, or letters

---

Does This Include Hardware Too?​

Yes — if you use Google-powered devices (like Android phones, Google Nest, or Pixel hardware), those devices are typically covered under the same privacy terms. Data collected through those devices can also be used under the same agreement, including:

• What you say around smart devices (Nest/Assistant)
• Where your phone is
• How you use your apps
• What you type or search

---

Why Does This Matter?​

Most people assume:

• “Google just needs this data to make Gmail work.”
• “If I delete something, it’s gone.”
• “I can always change my mind later.”

But the truth is:

• The consent is broad, covering many types of data and uses
• The agreement is irrevocable — it doesn’t expire
• Deleting data doesn’t undo past use or sharing
• Google can continue using some of your content (like AI training) even if you stop using the service

---

What You Can Do About It​

• Use alternative services that respect your data privacy (like ProtonMail or Tutanota)
• Read privacy settings carefully
• Use incognito mode when possible, but remember — Google may still log data
• Be cautious about syncing your entire digital life (Photos, Drive, Search, Location, YouTube history)

 

[iamwhatiseem]

Remember this term: Irrevocable consent (or "in perpetuity" )

And you're right, it's like all of them go into panic mode if they think they're getting ready to lose as much as 1 cent of any of their revenue streams so they monitor everything to in order to pick up any clues that something may be afoot.

------------------------
From ChatGPT4o

What You’re Really Agreeing To When You Sign Up for Gmail (or Any Google Service)​

The Short Version:​

When you create a free Gmail account, you are giving Google permission to collect, use, and sometimes share your data — and you can't take that permission back. That includes data from:

• Your email content (even drafts)
• Your Google searches
• Your YouTube activity
• Your Google Docs, Photos, and Drive files
• Your location, if you use Android or Maps
• Your voice recordings, if you use Assistant or Search by voice
• And even some data collected through Google Nest devices, Pixel phones, and Chromebooks

Once you agree, you can’t undo this consent for the data that’s already been collected or for how it's been used.

What Is "Irrevocable Consent"?​

Irrevocable means you can't take it back later.

When you click “I agree” to Google’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, you’re giving permanent permission for Google to:

• Use your data to train AI, improve products, and target ads
• Store your content on its servers (emails, files, images, etc.)
• Share data with partners or authorities in specific cases
• Retain backups even if you delete content (depending on how it's stored)

Even if you delete your account, some data may remain in backups or logs, and Google still retains the rights you already gave them to use what you've shared or uploaded.

What Does That Mean for You (and Others)?​

Think of it like this:


You can use it, store stuff in it, and invite others over…
But the builder is always allowed to:

• Walk through and take notes
• Learn what you’re doing inside
• Use what they learn to improve their future buildings
• And show you ads for things based on what’s in your fridge, bookshelves, or letters

---

Does This Include Hardware Too?​

Yes — if you use Google-powered devices (like Android phones, Google Nest, or Pixel hardware), those devices are typically covered under the same privacy terms. Data collected through those devices can also be used under the same agreement, including:

• What you say around smart devices (Nest/Assistant)
• Where your phone is
• How you use your apps
• What you type or search

---

Why Does This Matter?​

Most people assume:

• “Google just needs this data to make Gmail work.”
• “If I delete something, it’s gone.”
• “I can always change my mind later.”

But the truth is:

• The consent is broad, covering many types of data and uses
• The agreement is irrevocable — it doesn’t expire
• Deleting data doesn’t undo past use or sharing
• Google can continue using some of your content (like AI training) even if you stop using the service

---

What You Can Do About It​

• Use alternative services that respect your data privacy (like ProtonMail or Tutanota)
• Read privacy settings carefully
• Use incognito mode when possible, but remember — Google may still log data
• Be cautious about syncing your entire digital life (Photos, Drive, Search, Location, YouTube history)

And don't forget to TURN OFF Microsoft's One Drive - "sold" as a service to backup your data - but what it really does is send to Microsoft almost everything you do - all photos, all documents, everything on your desktop, all internet search data, even screenshots and clipboard data - even if you delete it. They still have it, and once you "agree" to the terms - you gave them permission to do whatever they want with it.

 

[iamwhatiseem]

This is also why Microsoft switched to Windows as a service rather than a product sold to you.
As a service, this gives them perpetual rights to everything you do - forever. You do not own the operating system - they do. It is provided to you as a service, and they can take it away anytime they want.
Think about that

 

[NewsVine_Mariyam]

And don't forget to TURN OFF Microsoft's One Drive - "sold" as a service to backup your data - but what it really does is send to Microsoft almost everything you do - all photos, all documents, everything on your desktop, all internet search data, even screenshots and clipboard data - even if you delete it. They still have it, and once you "agree" to the terms - you gave them permission to do whatever they want with it.

I never realized how entwined by personal "free" email address from Microsoft is in my entire life, both person & professional, until they intentionally blocked my access to it.

We're going on 3 months of no access and getting ready to have to do the "legal" thingy, like this guy:

Microsoft is being sued for $1.75 million over Email Account Lockout - WinCert