In Our Own Words

Cookie Monster

So I am pretty sure the government is tapping my phone. The other day, I thought I saw a black suburban tailing me on my way home. Then today, a Wall Street Journal article confirmed my worst fears, super cookies are stealing my browsing history and tracking my every move online! Big Brother IS watching!

I’ve cleared my cache, deleted my cookies, and have re-routed my IP address to bounce across 4 different servers in 2 different countries. Now I can read Perez Hilton in peace without everyone and their mother KNOWING about it. Or can I? Apparently, these “super-cookies” aren’t your normal run of the mill tollhouse variety. These guys can’t be erased as easily as regular cookies…once they latch on, they hold on for dear life, like a rabid browser surfing pit-bull.

The worst part about it is media companies are using this data to serve me advertising that is relevant to my needs! Can you believe that?! If my surfing behavior demonstrates that I am looking to buy a new car, they will serve me ads with, guess what, great deals on new cars… isn’t that deplorable? I mean, when I watch TV or listen to the radio, or on occasion read a newspaper, I am bombarded with nothing but ads for things I don’t need, don’t want, and could care less about. But at least, I have my privacy! This is America afterall. What’s next? Devices that beam signals from outerspace to tell everyone exactly where I am? When will it end! I just want to be left alone. Companies should not be allowed to violate my personal space like that. It just makes me feel so, used. Well, I have to go, I need to post this to my Facebook page and head to lunch. One more check-in at Zea and I’ll be the mayor! #privacynow!

Friday, August 19, 2011

by Damien Lamanna

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