This is seriously creepy

[Coelacanth]

I just wanted to share something that happened this morning. I find it way too random and specific to be coincidence.

On the drive to work this morning, the radio station DJ's were talking about a new PF Chang's restaurant franchise opening soon in their neighborhood. The conversation turned to what building the franchise would be located at, and closed buildings at that neighborhood. The talk went on to reminisce about a now-closed Red Robin restaurant, the DJ's talked about memories of Red Robin for the next 10 minutes.

Not even 2 hours later, I'm browsing RC10Talk.com as I always do, and an ad appears for Red Robin, of all things! How much of a coincidence is that?!?

I'm trying to figure out how this could happen...is my cellphone listening in? I keep it in my winter jacket pocket so I don't know how it could pick this up.

I've never been to a Red Robin, I don't even know that franchise. Seriously weird!

[juicedcoupe]

Had several similar events happen.

[Coelacanth]

I'm fanatical about online privacy (paranoid? Haha!)...any ideas how this would even work? I can't get myself to believe it's just a random coincidence.

[jwscab]

yes, your phone is listening at all times for keywords. targeted advertising.

[RC10resto]

Android or iOS?

[EvolutionRevolution]

This is why I have an ad blocker and a privacy* blocker in my browsers.

* this blocks trackers of all kinds.

[R6cowboy]

Doubt that's a coincidence.
My mobile data is always turned off, it only gets turned on when I need to use it and immediately gets turned off as soon as I'm done. I don't use it very often, typically maybe once a day for a short period, so it's not an inconvenience whatsoever. I don't trust the gov't for sh*t, and certainly believe they, cellphone companies and all large corporations for that matter, do everything they can to invade tax payers' privacy.

[morrisey0]

the DJ's talked about memories of Red Robin for the next 10 minutes.

How do you talk about frozen patty sh!t burgers for 10 minutes?

[JosephS]

I'm fanatical about online privacy (paranoid? Haha!)...any ideas how this would even work? I can't get myself to believe it's just a random coincidence.

The phone isn't likely to be listening directly, but instead using app to create a profile based on location based data. This tends to be through big apps like linked-in and facebook, though google is in the space as well. Basically any app that is installed connects to one of those services to sell data as a revenue stream.

It doesn't even have to be personal, it could simply be RR is targeting a geographic area and you crossed it.

The only way to have privacy is to leave your phone at home. Putting a chip in each person would be so much less powerful than what exists now.

[juicedcoupe]

We were having a conversation at work. Within a couple hours, several of us were getting adds related to the conversation.

[RC10th]

I'm convinced that even with all the voice crap turned off your phone still listens. Also, my wife has said or looked stuff up on her phone and strangely it has appeared on mine.

[JosephS]

I'm convinced that even with all the voice crap turned off your phone still listens. Also, my wife has said or looked stuff up on her phone and strangely it has appeared on mine.

Cross linked advertising profiles. Somehow advertisers figured out you were married.

[Incredible_Serious]

Also, my wife has said or looked stuff up on her phone and strangely it has appeared on mine.

Yeah, sure..... fess up, it was you looking at polka-dot bras and edible underwear....

[LowClassCC]

Phones listen for targeted advertising. I have allegedly been known to grab a buddies phone and say keywords like "fat, weight loss, viagra, impotency, granny porn, transgendered, sex change, ect." over the next few days it is always entertaining listening to them mention the messed up ads they are getting on their phones.

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

I'm a rare case that wants to be followed. Why wouldn't I want to be shown things I'm into?? It has its rewards. My ultimate dream is a chip in my arm that arm that tracks everything. It allows me to walk into a store, put a bunch of items in my cart and be automatically charged from my bank account as I walk out the door. Zero interaction. I also think at some point everyone will have a drone landing pad that allows them to buy items in town and have them delivered instantly. Like say, a 30 pack of Busch Light.

I do wonder if it was tracking your location and knew you drove by a Red Robin. Even though it was torn down Google Earth may have still been picking up the co-ordinances? Probably spelled rong...