this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2024

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Picture this (feddit.org)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Picture this:

You type on Google "laptop won't turn on"
Google now knows you have a broken laptop and can estimate how desperate you are to fix it.
Because it knows how desperate you are, it can increase shop prices proportionally.

You are going to pay the maximum they get you to pay.

That's algorithmic pricing.

The more companies know about you, the more they can predict and sell how desperate you are to other stores out there.

An internet-connected car knows much more about you than you realize. A smart TV also knows what you like. Your Alexa knows if there is a problem in the home.

Privacy is much more than just sensitive data.

It's about not giving leverage away.

Because algorithms will use it against you.

Be safe out there.

Nostr.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (6 children)

I don't know how accurate this is. Every time i try googling this, i get multiple help forums (brand website, Microsoft help, reddit discussions) for how to troubleshoot, with no ads for new laptops. While i typically provide a more specific search (e.g. my laptop brand and model won't boot), i tried googling "my laptop won't turn on" and received similar, albeit less specific, suggestions.

I wonder if the original poster often searches for laptop prices to find deals and maybe it defaulted to that?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

internet has ads?

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I can see how this would be a concern in theory but currently google can't even find me the products I'm looking for even when I type in exact parameters so we're a long way off from it predicting not only what you need but how desperate you are for it.

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[–] brbposting 4 points 2 months ago

How could this example be modified a bit?

Maybe they know you’re an executive assistant and you search “CEO’s laptop won’t turn on“.

(Every repair shop already has the opportunity to charge desperation pricing for non-bootable machines.)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Is there evidence previous search-based algorithmic pricing is being used?

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I would never buy a laptop from Google anyway.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago

If you use the Internet, there's a very good chance they know just about everything anyway. They're insidious.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

Google isn't necessarily the seller, but Best Buy, Staples, Amazon, Walmart and Target could hash out a deal with Google (or Bing, etc.) for "insights".

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

So how does this affect me when price comparison sites are a thing?

[–] Piemanding 2 points 2 months ago

Your internet privacy affects a lot more than pricing. Someone can somehow find your information online, whether they buy it from an information broker or from some of the many giant hacks. Then they can use that information to track you down and hurt you. Also, most people aren't looking at price comparison sites.

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