My Media & Data Diary

Friday, January 30th

This media diary is not only to track my media consumption over 24 hours but to recognize what data collection might be done over the time I’ve spent consuming these media platforms. This was recorded on a full work day.

7:00 AM – Bond Touch App

An alert woke me from my Bond Touch bracelet, a device linked to a mobile app through Bluetooth. The bracelet sends touch vibrations between devices for long-distance couples and friendships. My partner and I are linked through these, and the app has access to my email address and name and is always running in the background.

There is a feature on the app that allows location tracking. My partner and I have this feature turned off, but there is a way that this app can transmit a person’s location at any time the app is open or running in the background. The data collected from this can include habitual routes that one takes per day.

10:00 AM – Facebook Reels

I had gone back to bed again, waking up at 10 AM. Once I woke up, I checked Facebook in bed. The personal data I have provided on Facebook publicly is my first name, profile photo, and location. Having heard of privacy concerns involving Facebook and your location, I have tried to remain vague when providing information or posting.

However, last weekend, I went on a trip to Chicago. I used the check-in feature, giving Facebook access to a rooftop bar I had gone to. A week later, scrolling through my newsfeed, this suggested post popped up:

While I don’t live in Chicago, the algorithm noted that I spent time there. A Facebook page I do not follow, that is centered around the city of Chicago, was suggested. The AI searches reinforce a tourist’s potential inquiries for things to do there,

1:40 PM – Instagram

I was working at my full-time job, so I couldn’t be on my phone as much as I did during the last media diary. I also work as a part-time social media manager for a small business, and I like to check that my scheduled posts come out correctly.

I had posts scheduled for an event happening on Saturday. The posts were boosted, and I created a target audience that includes gender, age, location, and interests.

Based on this target audience, Meta’s services use data matches to account’s personal information to decide who to show the ad to.

3:00 PM – Facebook

During a small lapse in work, I opened up the Facebook app. While going through my newsfeed, I got a sponsored ad from Elix Healing. Elix is a brand that produces unique blends of herbs and oils that reference Chinese medicinal practices to help with hormone health and symptoms of PCOS.

A few nights before seeing this ad, I had received one on Instagram. I clicked on the ad to take the free quiz which allows users to log their symptoms surrounding menstrual troubles and symptoms. The site suggests a blend of Elix products that can help. I did not purchase this product, nor did I go back to the website.

Seeing this sponsored ad on Facebook revealed the biometric data that Meta, and Elix’s website, may have stored about me. I provided my age, weight, and PCOS symptoms.

6:00 PM – Apple Music

Once I got in the car to drive home from work, I used Apple’s music streaming service on Apple Carplay. Apple Music takes note of the artists and songs you listen to, either to suggest other music or to compile it for the Replay of the year. Apple Music has full access to my musical interests, name, and iTunes account, which has personal information, passwords, and iCloud photos linked to it.

Additionally, Apple Carplay transfers an iPhone’s information into the dashboard screen. This includes contacts, music, and location with Apple’s Maps system.

7:30 PM – Gmail

After eating dinner, I sat down to check my email. On Gmail, my contacts are stored there, including any account I have interacted with over the span of having the account. It also includes a record of contacts or keywords I have previously searched for. There is also a clear record of preference when suggestions to unsubscribe pop up upon opening an email from a sender I rarely interacted with.

8:00 PM – Netflix Binge

Recently, I finished watching the second season of Squid Game. The series is a South Korean thriller that has gained plenty of popularity in other countries. I finished the season quickly, and since then, Netflix has been showing more K-Drama series and shows on my dashboard.

Should I reconsider my media consumption?

Looking over this media diary, I noticed that even though I want to maintain privacy, I value convenience over full digital privacy. The personal ads based on my browsing history derived from accepting cookies when I visited the Elix Healing website to take their quiz, as well as using the check-in feature which determined my location during my trip to Chicago.

Even my music preferences on Apple Music and my email preferences on Gmail add to how my personal data is continuously monitored and collected to tailor my digital media experience.

While I’ve made some effort to limit my personal data-sharing, like leaving Facebook personal details vague and opting out of Bond Touch’s location sharing, I am reconsidering how much control I’ve given to the media platforms I use. To be more mindful of my digital footprint, I will now be more conscious when I get an “allow cookies” popup and when sharing my location on my Facebook private page. While my content might not be accessible to users who are not in my “friend” group, Facebook still collects my data to tailor content.