this post was submitted on 12 Jun 2023
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Technology
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What absolutely sucks about this is that I had carefully curated my subscriptions on RIF in order not to exacerbate my dumb mental health issues.
Hell, I've read angry posts about people in recovery from addiction and alcohol saying how they keep seeing ads for beer or gambling and things like that.
It's horrifying!!
Me too. I suffer from PTSD myself so I avoid things like the war coverage in Ukraine. The app is full of it and I can't filter it fully like I can in RIF.
The algorithm really doesn't work when you are critical or sceptical over a subject. For instance crypto sceptics from r/buttcoin being shown binance ads. Yes, they do show an interest in crypto, but may be the least suceptible persons to that ad.
It's different with subs focused on addiction & recovery though.
Maybe it's a very bad idea to targeted knife ads in a suicide watch sub, you know? Susceptible people and all.
Not that this is how it works, but I imagine a diligent algorithm looking at those individuals and that content, and then thinking "mhhmm this will generate maximum revenue!!".
I think that's absolutely how it works (in part). Ads curated toward your demographic! Maybe it's not inherently purposeful, but it's harmful, nonetheless.
In a subr×ddit about alcohol recovery? "Our algorithm detected that your post history contains the word "alcohol" or "beer" a lot! We will tailor your ads to cater to your interests for maximum profits!" Boom. There you go.
It takes the human aspect out of the community and drives it to become harmful at worst and soulless at best.
From an advertiser perspective it makes sense to sell to addicted people. Mission accomplished?