Evan De Guelle
Mr. McGoldrick
English III
27 September 2024
Targeted Ads: A Threat To Your Privacy

Every day, we use the internet, leaving bits of our information behind. Websites and apps collect this data without us knowing, building profiles based on our habits and preferences. Companies then buy and sell this information, using it to show us targeted ads. This not only invades our privacy but also allows businesses to influence our choices without our consent. The commercialization of user data through targeted ads raises massive privacy issues, turning personal information into a product sold to companies, without users knowing and most importantly agreeing.

	A key problem with targeted advertising is that companies collect user data without people knowing or agreeing to it. Author Stacy-Ann Elvy discusses this problem in her article “Paying for Privacy and the Personal Data Economy.” She says, “Companies can monitor a consumer’s habits, including Internet browsing on third-party websites, not only from the consumer’s direct use of the product but also by using cookies and other mechanisms that enable data collection and tracking even when the product is not in use” (Elvy 1384). This quote shows that companies use tools like cookies to constantly track what users do online. They often do this without users’ awareness, turning personal browsing habits into valuable data that they buy and sell. Taking personal information without permission shows how user data becomes a product, supporting the idea that the commercialization of user data through targeted ads raises serious privacy issues. By secretly collecting and profiting from personal data, companies invade individuals’ privacy and use their information without their consent.

	This practice of turning personal data into a product for sale deepens the gap between those who have financial resources and those who do not.  Elvy shows this issue, explaining that “financially disadvantaged consumers cannot afford the prices of companies that adopt a privacy-as-a-luxury model charge, use of this model is likely to contribute to the divide between those that can afford privacy and those that cannot.” (Elvy 1399). Services designed to enhance privacy, such as VPNs or browsers with stronger privacy features, often come with a cost that is prohibitive for many low-income individuals. This effectively creates a two-tiered system where individuals with greater financial means can purchase additional privacy protections, leaving those with limited resources more vulnerable to ongoing data collection and manipulation.

In today’s digital world, companies gather personal data without users knowing, turning it into a product they can sell. This process is at the heart of targeted advertising, where detailed user profiles are bought and sold to the highest bidder. In her research paper “Paying for Privacy and the Personal Data Economy,” Stacy-Ann Elvy discusses how companies can keep track of what you do online, even when you’re not directly using their products, using tools like cookies that collect data behind the scenes. "Companies can monitor a consumer’s habits, including Internet browsing on third-party websites, not only from the consumer’s direct use of the product but also by using cookies and other mechanisms that enable data collection and tracking even when the product is not in use" (Elvy 1384). This invisible data collection helps companies create detailed profiles of individuals, revealing their likes, dislikes, and even weaknesses. These profiles are then sold to advertisers who use them to target people with specific ads, invading their privacy and raising serious ethical issues. Individuals lose control over their information, losing the power to manage their online information securely.

In conclusion, targeted advertising hurts our privacy by turning our personal data into a product.  Companies' ability to collect information without our knowledge and consent, combined with unequal access to privacy protections, creates a serious ethical issue that requires urgent attention. It is important to make laws that protect our digital privacy, give people the power to control their data, and stop the use of personal information for commercial gain.

Citations:
Elvy, Stacy-Ann. “PAYING FOR PRIVACY AND THE PERSONAL DATA ECONOMY.” Columbia Law Review, vol. 117, no. 6, 2017, pp. 1369–459. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44392955. Accessed 11 Sept. 2024.



Paragraph 1: Introduction
Introduce your topic with a “hook”. This can mean several things. Usually you’ll want to write a general statement/introduction to your topic. To write a good hook it is recommended that you write enough information for the reader to have an understanding of what your essay is about, but leave out enough detail for them to want to keep reading.
The following sentences between your hook and your thesis statement is generally recommended to both give context to your thesis statement, and to introduce subtopics/supporting reasons(minimum of two) that you will write about in your body paragraphs. It’s important to keep your body paragraphs focused and concise so you’ll need to start planning them out now so it will be organized and will flow properly.
The last sentence in your paragraph should be your thesis statement. This allows for your audience to have been given context to what your essay is going to be and how you as the writer think about the particular topic in an organized and efficient manner. 

Paragraph 2: Body Paragraph 1

This is where you will write your first reason/subtopic that supports your thesis statement. The role of every body paragraph is to support/back up your thesis statement. Each body paragraph needs to flow properly, be organized, and build off of one another. The best way to do this, is to keep your body paragraph focused to one reason/subtopic that supports your thesis. You do not want to jump around from reason to reason. Keep it clear and concise.
The information in this paragraph and every paragraph has to be backed by a peer reviewed source. To maintain your credibility/authority on the topic, you will want to use at least one quote data driven fact that you have found in your research. This quote has to directly pertain to your specific reason in your paragraph.
Remember to “Sandwich” you quotes. This means that you have to:
Give context(who wrote it and what does it pertain to?) to your quote.
Put the quote itself into your essay.
Then explain how this quote backs up your thesis statement.

   Remember to properly cite your quote using an in-text citation. This can look like several different things based on the type of source that you are referencing. Please refer to the OWL Purdue guide to in-text MLA citations, and choose the type of source it is(internet periodical, a book, etc.) “That’s cool”  (McGoldrick 14)

Paragraph 3: Body Paragraph 2

This is where you will write your second reason/subtopic that supports your thesis statement. The role of every body paragraph is to support/back up your thesis statement. Each body paragraph needs to flow properly, be organized, and build off of one another. The best way to do this, is to keep your body paragraph focused to one reason/subtopic that supports your thesis. You do not want to jump around from reason to reason. Keep it clear and concise.
The information in this paragraph and every paragraph has to be backed by a peer reviewed source. To maintain your credibility/authority on the topic, you will want to use at least one quote data driven fact that you have found in your research. This quote has to directly pertain to your specific reason in your paragraph.
Remember to “Sandwich” you quotes. This means that you have to:
Give context(who wrote it and what does it pertain to?) to your quote.
Put the quote itself into your essay.
Then explain how this quote backs up your thesis statement.

   Remember to properly cite your quote using an in-text citation. This can look like several different things based on the type of source that you are referencing. Please refer to the OWL Purdue guide to in-text MLA citations, and choose the type of source it is(internet periodical, a book, etc.) “That’s cool”  (McGoldrick 14)

Paragraph 3: Body Paragraph 3

This is where you will write your third reason/subtopic that supports your thesis statement. The role of every body paragraph is to support/back up your thesis statement. Each body paragraph needs to flow properly, be organized, and build off of one another. The best way to do this, is to keep your body paragraph focused to one reason/subtopic that supports your thesis. You do not want to jump around from reason to reason. Keep it clear and concise.
The information in this paragraph and every paragraph has to be backed by a peer reviewed source. To maintain your credibility/authority on the topic, you will want to use at least one quote data driven fact that you have found in your research. This quote has to directly pertain to your specific reason in your paragraph.
Remember to “Sandwich” you quotes. This means that you have to:
Give context(who wrote it and what does it pertain to?) to your quote.
Put the quote itself into your essay.
Then explain how this quote backs up your thesis statement.

   Remember to properly cite your quote using an in-text citation. This can look like several different things based on the type of source that you are referencing. Please refer to the OWL Purdue guide to in-text MLA citations, and choose the type of source it is(internet periodical, a book, etc.) “That’s cool”  (McGoldrick 14)



Paragraph 5: Conclusion

The first sentence in your concluding paragraph should be a restating of your thesis. Remember, the meaning of your thesis should not change, but the words need to.
Next, follow this by restating your reason(s)that support your thesis.
You should end the paragraph/essay with a concise and finite statement. 


Peer Edit Research Essay

Your Name Evan De Guelle
Partner’s Name ____________________

Heading
Is the last name followed by the page number in the top right corner?
Yes/No
On the left side of the page does the header go as follows: double spaces in between, and is it all in Times New Roman 12 point font?: Yes/No
	
Student Name 
Mr. McGoldrick
English III
27 September 2024
Is there a title? Yes/No
Is the title In correct format (NOT ITALICIZED, NOT UNDERLINED,  NOT BOLD, OR IN QUOTATION MARKS)? Yes/No


1st paragraph:Introduction

Is the paragraph indented?                                               Yes/No
Is it at least 4 OF THEIR OWN sentences?  					Yes /No
Is the beginning of every sentence capitalized?					Yes / No
Is there correct punctuation?                                            Yes/No
Are proper nouns capitalized?					Yes / No


Is there a clear thesis statement at the end of the paragraph.?                                                                             Yes / No


Body Paragraph 1: 
Is the paragraph indented?                                               Yes/No
Is it at least 4 OF THEIR OWN sentences?  					Yes /No
Is the beginning of every sentence capitalized?					Yes / No
Is there correct punctuation?                                            Yes/No
Are proper nouns capitalized?					Yes / No
Is there at least ONE QUOTE?                                                     Yes / No
Is there proper in-text citation after the quote? Example:(Smith) or (Gale Opposing Viewpoints) Yes/ No
Is the quote properly “Sandwiched”: 
1. Give context for the quote 
2. The quote itself
3. Explain how the quote backs up the main idea?
Yes / No



Body Paragraph 2: 
Is the paragraph indented?                                               Yes/No
Is it at least  4 OF THEIR OWN sentences?  					Yes /No
Is the beginning of every sentence capitalized?					Yes / No
Is there correct punctuation?                                            Yes/No
Are proper nouns capitalized?					Yes / No
Is there at least ONE QUOTE?                                                     Yes / No
Is there proper in-text citation (Smith) or (Gale Opposing Viewpoints) Yes/ No
Is the quote properly “Sandwiched”: 
1. Give context for the quote 
2. The quote itself
3. Explain how the quote backs up the main idea? Yes / No
Body Paragraph 3: 
Is the paragraph indented?                                               Yes/No
Is it at least  4 OF THEIR OWN sentences?  					Yes /No
Is the beginning of every sentence capitalized?					Yes / No
Is there correct punctuation?                                            Yes/No
Are proper nouns capitalized?					Yes / No
Is there a clear “solution” to the issue stated?                  Yes/No
Is there at least ONE QUOTE?                                                     Yes / No
Is there proper in-text citation (Smith) or (Gale Opposing Viewpoints) Yes/ No
Is the quote properly “Sandwiched”: 
1. Give context for the quote 
2. The quote itself
3. Explain how the quote backs up the main idea?
Yes / No


Conclusion:

Is the paragraph indented?                                               Yes/No
Is it at least  4  sentences?  					Yes /No
Is the beginning of every sentence capitalized?					Yes / No
Is there correct punctuation?                                            Yes/No
Are proper nouns capitalized?					Yes / No
Do they clearly restate their main idea of their thesis(in different wording than the actual thesis) at the beginning of the paragraph? Yes/No
Is there anything that is repeated or redundant? Yes/No 
Is there a clear direction moving forward regarding the solution(tangible steps needed to make the solution a reality) Yes/No




Works Cited
Is there a title “Works Cited” centered on the top of the page?      Yes  / No
Are there at least 3 sources?					Yes / No
Are the citations in proper MLA format                              Yes / No
Is it all in Times New Roman 12 point font?                                    Yes / No
Is it double-spaced?						Yes / No
Is it in alphabetical order?					Yes / No
Is there a hanging indent?                                                Yes/No


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