An example of Reddit “privacy”
A couple of months ago I was browsing Reddit using a “private” throw away account and came across someone who indicated they were near me and could use help on a project. I reached out via dm’s and after a brief exchange we made arrangements to meet up and work together. We met at a public place and worked together for a few hours before going our separate ways. We didn’t exchange numbers since I figured I could reach back out on Reddit if needed, I didn’t even get his last name.
Fast forward to about a week ago and to my surprise, Instagram suggested that I follow him. Been racking my brain since to figure out how this happened. Is it just because our phones were in close vicinity for those hours? Or is it because our “private” Reddit accounts dm’d each other a handful of time. His account was set to private as well, but I don’t think it is a throwaway.
I’m not too worried about it. Nothing we talked about or worked on was sensitive in nature, but just another example of the internet being creepy.
Instagram frequently suggests I follow people I don’t know, and now I am starting to wonder if they are just random people I’ve interacted with on Reddit in one way or another.
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How did they know you were near them? Was there something in your comments about where you were located?
Could have been the phones, or Reddit could be selling data for AI to Meta. Did your "throw away" Reddit account use an email that Meta would know about?
It was a local subreddit. Sorry, realize now the way I typed that out is confusing. But for a pretty large metropolitan area so don’t think the follow suggestion was just based on that.
Yes, I have one email account I use for most things. So that is the most likely culprit. I guess I am just surprised that Reddit would share that type of info with meta (though probably shouldn’t be). I feel like people use Reddit with the assumption that if they don’t share anything identifiable then they are anonymous, but am finding out that is not the case.
The amount of complicit sites is absolutely staggering, every time I use my Informed Delivery from USPS, it’s tracked via Meta by trackers they put on there themselves. Once went under “manage my data” on my account and was astounded. Mind you, I keep Meta pretty contained with privileges and whatnot as much as I can, and don’t use FB login on anything at all.
ETA: just looked it up and; Yes, Meta (Facebook/Instagram) collects Reddit data, primarily through trackers like the Meta Pixel (formerly Facebook Pixel) embedded on websites. This allows Meta to track user activity—such as page visits, clicks, and interactions—to inform targeted advertising, even when users are browsing Reddit anonymously or without linking their Facebook accounts.
How Data Collection Occurs: [Meta Pixel & Cookies: Reddit uses third-party cookies and trackers, includingMeta's, to improve ad efficiency. Cross-Site Tracking: If you are logged into Meta on a browser and visit Reddit, Meta can receive information about your activity on Reddit, such as links clicked or content viewed. Limited Data Use: While Reddit has restrictions in place, it uses advertising partners (including Meta) that may collect data on user activity.
or... and hear me out on this... get off facebook
Instagram probably saw you where within the geographic location of this person. Or reddit shares data with Meta products.
I am assuming it’s one of those two.
I have doubts it’s based just on location though, or else it would constantly be giving suggestions of people you coincidentally sat next to at a coffee shop, etc.
So I feel like it is more likely Reddit sharing data, which is pretty concerning. People tend to use Reddit assuming that if they don’t share identifiable info about themselves, that they will be anonymous. But if Reddit is sharing info with non anonymous social media like instagram, that’s not the case at all. Seems like a recipe for doxxing.
But then where will I get my news? And how will I do research on vaccines?
Oh you mean the corporation that's been successfully sued repeatedly for privacy violations? They'd never do anything wrong!
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Instagram somehow is less privacy
This is an example of Meta "privacy". You and another person where very close to each other for a few hours. You might have even searched for similar things at the same time on your phones. Instagram constantly following of your geolocation and their geolocation. Throw in a Facebook websearch cookie from a complicit website or two and their algorithms guessed that you might know each other. That's how Meta works. Nonstop tracking of your everything. You should delete their apps (Facebook, Instagram, WhatApp) immediately.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-stop-facebook-from-spying-on-your-internet-activity
Or phone company shared the estimated locations to match the two.
Next time you want to be anonymous on reddit, use a separate private browser like librewolf.
I am guessing that you did not and your browser was fingerpinted.
Also a separate vpn end point so you’re not using the same ip
I forgot to mention IP, because I change my IP every night by powering off my ISP modem.
phone + social media = no privacy
it definitely has something to do with your phones being near each other. i've had many of my coworkers suggested as friends. the thing is, i've never posted where i work anywhere online, especially not on facebook. i havent even posted or commented on facebook since like 2017. the only explanation is that its because we were in the same vicinity so often.
Now that i think about, i get suggested a lot of people in the same town, which again i've never posted online. I wonder if it's people i've sat next to on the city bus or something haha. that's pretty damn creepy.
They also use phone contacts of those dumb enough to share their contacts with Facebook. They use anything they can to build relationship maps.
>because our phones were in close vicinity
this
Same WiFi signal, close to each other
There are some settings you can change that might contribute to this, but I echo others' suggestions
I can find he exact settings later if you want but it is somewhat intuitive
What info did he have on you? Could he have look you up?
Literally privacy nightmare.. i think this happens with tiktok and of course facebook too
Back when I had social accounts, I ONCE decided to delete the apps on my phone and use mobile browser only. Within one day Facebook was suggesting Twitter people to follow.
Rule o' thumb: Don't post anything that you don't want the entire world to see, read, or be able to monetize, without your knowledge/consent. 20th Century rules do not apply.
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