Journalist experiences conversation-led targeted adds immediately within 45 minutes of discussion in pub

This is a follow-up to the post by /u/NewHoustonian which other Redditors also claim to have experienced, concerning adverts that appear to be triggered by general conversation.

My journalist colleague and I were working out how to do a particular story which we want to pitch to our editor on Monday. We decided to meet for lunch at a pub, and throughout the two hours we discussed a variety of topics, none of which I have googled or discussed online in any format.

The following targeted adverts appeared in my news feed within 45 minutes of leaving the pub today. I don't have the Facebook app, nor the messenger one, too many bullshit permissions for my liking, but I do have Instagram like most journalists.

At the start of our meeting my phone battery was at 88 per cent, and after two hours - and only a couple of quick googles to check on the rugby world cup, and with no other apps running, it had dropped to just over 40 per cent.

Absolutely none of the adverts I have taken screenshot of are subjects that I look into on my personal computer or iPhone. And all bar one (the beer advert) have never been shown on my Facebook feed, which when ad blocker is turned off, usually consists of ads for drones, Xbox games, camera equipment, and Lego. Yes, I google a lot of Lego stuff.

My colleague had his iPhone in his pocket for most of the time, while I had mine on the table in case it rang since I am on call this weekend.

I don't want to come across as paranoid, but some of the key talking points of our conversation were seemingly turned into targeted ads in under an hour and placed into my Facebook feed.

Naturally as a journalist I find this highly disturbing considering a lot of the subjects I often deal with are extremely sensitive, particularly when it comes to the personal issues of the subjects of my stories. I frequently meet in person with my phone as a secondary recorder.

Am I right to be concerned over how coincidental this incident is?

Any thoughts?

EDIT: I would like to write an article on this experience, but for it to be even remotely credible, I would like to ask if any redditors who have had similar experiences, and who would be willing to go on record, to message me and provide a brief but detailed account of their experience. If willing, screenshots of the adverts in your feed would be needed in order to build up a credible story.

EDIT 2: I HAD Instagram. That shit is gone now along with the Twitter app.

by HeroAntagonist http://ift.tt/1GkNqUa