Given how modern suggestion algorithms seem to be poorly moderated, unregulated black boxes aimed at keeping users engaged on site above all else… I won’t be surprised if/when we learn that this has literally happened.
This reminds me on why I turned off personalised ads on Google many years ago.
I work as a psychiatrist, and regularly have to search for literature surrounding the medications I prescribe (like antidepressants). After a few months of practice, Google started having ads that start with “if you’re depressed, have you tried… ?” Or the more click-baity “so-and-so have tried … and you won’t believe what happens next! ”
It was funny the first few times, thinking that Google must have profiled me as depressed.
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“Are you feeling depressed? Here are some extremist organizations we recommend you to join!”
-Facebook
Given how modern suggestion algorithms seem to be poorly moderated, unregulated black boxes aimed at keeping users engaged on site above all else… I won’t be surprised if/when we learn that this has literally happened.
This reminds me on why I turned off personalised ads on Google many years ago.
I work as a psychiatrist, and regularly have to search for literature surrounding the medications I prescribe (like antidepressants). After a few months of practice, Google started having ads that start with “if you’re depressed, have you tried… ?” Or the more click-baity “so-and-so have tried … and you won’t believe what happens next! ”
It was funny the first few times, thinking that Google must have profiled me as depressed.