Amazon is now offering its users $2 a month in exchange for their data. However, it is better not to give in to temptation if you value your privacy…
Amazon users can now win $2 per month in exchange for their personal information. As part of the new “Ad Verification” program Based on an invitation system, the American company collects several pieces of information about the participants.
It follows in particular which ads are seen, on which pages and at what time of day. This monitoring affects both Amazon’s advertising and that of third parties on its platform.
Through this program, the company hopes to make available personalized advertising experiences to his customers. The goal is to show them ads that reflect their past purchases.
On its Shopper Panel FAQ page, Amazon states that “ Your participation will help brands Offer better products and make Amazon ads more relevant “.
Volunteers must give Amazon permission similar to that granted to VPNs to secure a connection. However, here’s the goal Set up a DNS connection to allow the Company to collect your information.
However, the $2 reward is only for Amazon users who have been invited to participate. Customers who have not received an invitation can request one added to the waiting list hope to be able to join the initiative later. How the invited participants will be selected is currently unknown.
The Ad Verification program is also reserved for Amazon customers for the time being in the United States and the United Kingdom. This project is part of the Amazon Shopper Panel program, which is also reserved for guests selected by the company.
It allows you to win $10 a month by sharing receipts of purchases made outside of Amazon. Participants can earn additional rewards by completing surveys.
The price of your privacy
At first glance, this program may seem like an easy option Earn $24 a year. It’s not much, but little effort is required, and as the saying goes, small streams make great rivers.
However it should be Keep in mind that Amazon is heavily criticized by privacy advocates. They denounce the way whose sensitive data the giant processes its users…
early December 2022, the Wired site revealed that experts are worried about how Amazon handles the data it receives his startup OneMedical, which is dedicated to health.
Similarly, Amazon has long been criticized for the way it exploits data from connected objects. Embed Alexa Where his ring doorbells.
Therefore, by providing your personal information to Amazon, you potentially consent Opening your private life to third parties for only two dollars a month. And once your information is out in the wild, the process is irreversible. When I think about it, it’s not expensive to pay…
However, Participants can unsubscribe of the Shopper Panel program at any time. Additionally, the company says it will remove sensitive data like prescription information from pharmacy receipts. Users can also delete receipts uploaded to the website at any time.
GAFAM is willing to do whatever it takes to confiscate your data
Amazon is far from it the first GAFAM at offer financial rewards against personal data. Several web giants had previously organized similar initiatives.
Already in 2012 Google launched the Screenwise program Volunteers can win $5 Amazon gift cards. In return, they had to download a Chrome extension that tracked their internet activity. It was even possible to make $100 by installing a Google-provided router that tracked their behavior within their household.
2016, Facebook started a program Internet users aged 13 to 25 can earn $20 a month in gift cards. It was enough for them to install Facebook Research : a VPN app that tracks their activity online for market research purposes.
Yet in 2019, this Facebook and Google programs have both taken over ended for privacy reasons. In summary, it’s better to think twice before throwing yourself in the mouth of the GAFAM…