Your searches, purchases, and even doctor visits are tracked by 48,000 companies feeding Facebook. Plus, a widow scammed out of $661K, why athletes are ditching fitness trackers, and the EV trend losing to hybrids.
Facebook doesn’t need to spy on your mic – what it does is scarier
🚨 DeepSeek gets all your deep secrets: I said this when DeepSeek first came out, but maybe you weren’t paying close attention. If you use DeepSeek AI, your login information to various sites, documents, pics, searches, videos and more goes straight to China. They’re not even trying to hide it. PSA: Only use DeepSeek the secure way if you have to at all. Steps here on my site.
1,150% increase
In searches for VPNs after Pornhub was geo-blocked Florida. That was just hours after a new law kicked in requiring porn sites to track users by verifying their age. Friendly reminder: Free VPNs are always shady. I use ExpressVPN. Get four months free with my link.
Confirmed: Google is a monopoly
A federal judge has ruled that Alphabet’s Google created an illegal monopoly by controlling almost all online searches. With around 90% market share, this decision could be a game-changer for Big Tech.
Dirty diaper ruined a family business
Paul and Rachelle Baron own Beau & Belle Littles, a once thriving swim diaper business. But when Amazon resold a returned diaper as “new,” a one-star review flagged by more than 100 buyers left them $600,000 in debt. Plus, CrowdStrike trouble continues, web searches are changing, and a remote worker turned out to be a North Korean spy.
Prime Day skepticism
Curious why Google searches for “Is Prime Day a scam?” skyrocketed by 300% in just 24 hours? Here’s the scoop.
Gen Z & millennials discover the flip phone
Flip phones are making a surprising comeback, with online searches skyrocketing over 15,000% as a new generation embraces their simplicity.
P*rn and last week's eclipse
How did the eclipse affect searches for adult content? Surprisingly, we have the data.
Incognito mode isn't private
Use it for all your embarrassing searches? Here’s why it’s not as stealthy as you think.
4 Google tips for your best search
Want to improve your Google searches? Listen to this one-minute podcast for tech tips that will get you better Google Search results.
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Venmo on Amazon, holiday smart speaker, no more Chrome
If you can solve this riddle, you belong in the FBI. Plus, Amazon now allows you to pay with Venmo, Chrome is going away with Windows 7 and browser extensions that take over your searches.
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Tech Refresh: Porch pirates, lock down your Google searches, blind man sees again
What do your phone’s passcode and your Venmo account have in common? Find out. Plus, an obscure video game accessory selling for hundreds of dollars, and our tactics to fight back against porch pirates. In the tech tip, a new Google setting you need to enable if you don’t want others snooping through your searches.
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Tech Refresh: Travel scams return, military jetpacks, stimulus warning
As the COVID vaccine rolls out, travel-related searches are booming. Scammers have caught on and Allie has details on what to watch out for. The Pentagon’s research agency opened up bids for tech that sounds an awful lot like superhero gear, and Netflix says no more password sharing. Plus, as the next round of stimulus payments roll out, a quick warning to protect your wallet.
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Joints, booze & pizza
You can always tell what America’s thinking by watching the vast array of searches on Google. Here’s what was on America’s mind last week during election night and the four nights after.
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This Google Search trend will surprise you
The election is tomorrow. Record numbers, about 90 million, have already voted. But one of Google’s top searches over the weekend has been: “Can I change my vote?”
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Here's exactly what Google knows about you
There’s even more data about you than you realize floating around the web. One of the biggest collectors? Google. Here’s an easy way to see what info is stored on Google’s servers based on your preferences, browsing history, searches, purchases and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s 'dumb luck' you see ads for things you were just talking about
You’ve probably come to expect targeted advertising based on your online searches, but how else are companies discovering what products and services to market to you? This is what one CEO is saying and why I’m taking it with a grain of salt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Find out what Google knows about you
Google tracks you online and offline, and you may be surprised at how much data there really is on your preferences, browsing history, searches, purchases and more. Here’s an easy way to see what info is stored on Google’s servers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices