Web firms ‘shouldn’t use our info for ads’

ALMOST two-thirds of Irish people now believe it is wrong that online companies can advertise to them based on their personal information, a new survey has revealed.

In total, 64% said it was wrong for web giants such as Facebook and Google to turn their information into targeted advertising, according to an iReach survey. Older people were even more concerned about tech giants’ access to their information for marketing purposes, as 75% of those aged over 55 were unhappy with the current situation.

Many online sites generate adverts based on what content individual users are interested in, in a bid to increase product sales and boost advertising revenue.

The research also revealed there is anxiety over the general level of information private companies have on individuals, with just 16% saying they are comfortable with existing levels of access.

The findings also reflected ongoing concerns over the relationship between teens and social media, with 93% saying they would like to see more education about online data for young people.

In terms of educating young people in an effort to help them to protect themselves online, 73% believed such training should take place within the education system.

And 65% said that they wanted to see tighter restrictions placed on online companies to limit how they can use information gathered on their members.