For this assignment, I tracked my media usage again, but this time I focused on what kind of data I was sharing—both deliberately and unknowingly. After paying closer attention, I realized that almost everything I do online collects data in some way. This aligns with what I learned from The Four Kinds of Privacy article, which explains how companies gather different types of personal information and use it in ways we don’t always notice.
Morning: Social Media & News
- 7:00 a.m.: I woke up, turned off my alarm, and immediately checked Instagram and Snapchat. I liked a few posts, watched some stories, and replied to a couple of messages. Just by doing this, I contributed to behavioral data, as Instagram and Snapchat now know what content I interact with, how long I spend watching stories, and even what type of posts I like the most.
- 7:30 a.m.: While eating breakfast, I scrolled through Google News and clicked on an article about the upcoming election. This might tell Google that I have political interests, and it could influence what kind of news articles I see in the future. This connects to the AP article, “Americans Have Little Trust in Online Security”, which explains how platforms track our political views and interests, sometimes even selling that data.
Mid-Morning: Exercise & Streaming
- 9:00–10:30 a.m.: I went for a workout and used Apple Fitness to track my progress. The app collected biometric data, including my heart rate, calories burned, and step count. This kind of data could be used for fitness tracking, but it also raises concerns about privacy, especially since many health apps share data with third parties.
- 10:45 a.m.: While cooling down, I watched a few videos on YouTube. I noticed that my homepage was full of workout-related recommendations because I had watched fitness content in the past. This is an example of an algorithm shaping my feed based on my past behavior, something that is explored in the documentary “The Social Dilemma”, which discusses how platforms manipulate user behavior.
Afternoon: Online Shopping & Schoolwork
- 12:00 p.m.: I took a break and browsed Amazon for workout clothes. I didn’t buy anything, but after that, I started seeing ads for fitness gear on Instagram and Google. This is an example of how different platforms share data to target users with ads.
- 1:00–3:00 p.m.: I worked on an assignment using Canvas. While Canvas itself is safe, it still tracks how long I spend on assignments and logs my activity for my school.
Evening: Work & Gaming
- 4:00–9:00 p.m.: I worked my shift and used the POS system, which tracks customer purchases. While this doesn’t affect my personal data, it does show how businesses collect and use consumer behavior data.
- 10:00 p.m.: After work, I played an online multiplayer game on my tablet. Games track user behavior, like how often you play, in-game purchases, and chat interactions.
Reflections: How My Data Is Used
After tracking my media habits again, I noticed several patterns:
- I share data constantly, even without realizing it. Whether it’s clicking on a news article or searching for products, companies are collecting data on me.
- Algorithms control my content. The platforms I use shape my experience based on what they think I want to see, which can limit what information I’m exposed to.
- Ads follow me everywhere. If I search for something on Amazon, I start seeing ads for it on other platforms. This proves how different companies share my data for targeted marketing.
This experience has made me more aware of my privacy settings. The AP article made me realize how little control we have over where our data goes. I plan to review my social media settings and limit the amount of data I give away to advertisers. Watching “The Social Dilemma” also reinforced how important it is to be mindful of how much time I spend on these platforms and how they influence my opinions.
Alferd Quierrez 