2 chapters across the catalog
A listener shares how the Netflix algorithm defaults to Japanese audio based on their viewing habits, leading to a discussion on how streaming services profile users. The hosts critique the practice of changing movie cover art to feature minority characters based on the perceived race of the viewer. They argue that these "insulting" assumptions are driven by data purchased from credit card companies and search histories.
The Ring doorbell network, licensed to police departments nationwide, provides a continuous view of American streets, driven by consumer fear of package theft. The hosts also discuss how apps like Spotify mine user data and drain battery life through intensive background processing. They argue that this constant data mining is used not just for advertising, but to "shape" society by controlling what people watch, hear, and believe through algorithms.
