All the Facebook-induced turmoil has many data players in the advertising space — those operating outside of the declared data realm — keeping quiet for the moment. After all, Facebook and Cambridge Analytica aren’t the only companies out there that know more about consumers than consumers think they do. There’s a general unspoken consensus that if no one makes any sudden moves, all of this scrutiny of industry practices will fade into yesterday’s headlines.
But a tipping point has been reached, and consumers are tired. People want to know what companies know about them. They want to know what’s being done with that information.
It seems almost absurd that an entire industry has sprung up around a process of glorified guesswork. Advertisers love guessing. They love leering at consumers around corners, with cameras, and using trackers online.
