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Communicating Algorithmic Process in Online Behavioral Advertising

Published: 21 April 2018 Publication History

Abstract

Advertisers develop algorithms to select the most relevant advertisements for users. However, the opacity of these algorithms, along with their potential for violating user privacy, has decreased user trust and preference in behavioral advertising. To mitigate this, advertisers have started to communicate algorithmic processes in behavioral advertising. However, how revealing parts of the algorithmic process affects users' perceptions towards ads and platforms is still an open question. To investigate this, we exposed 32 users to why an ad is shown to them, what advertising algorithms infer about them, and how advertisers use this information. Users preferred interpretable, non-creepy explanations about why an ad is presented, along with a recognizable link to their identity. We further found that exposing users to their algorithmically-derived attributes led to algorithm disillusionment---users found that advertising algorithms they thought were perfect were far from it. We propose design implications to effectively communicate information about advertising algorithms.

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    cover image ACM Conferences
    CHI '18: Proceedings of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
    April 2018
    8489 pages
    ISBN:9781450356206
    DOI:10.1145/3173574
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    Published: 21 April 2018

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    Author Tags

    1. ad explanation
    2. advertising algorithms
    3. algorithmic authority
    4. algorithmic transparency
    5. process communication

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    • Google PhD Fellowship

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    CHI '18 Paper Acceptance Rate 666 of 2,590 submissions, 26%;
    Overall Acceptance Rate 6,199 of 26,314 submissions, 24%

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    • (2024)"I know even if you don't tell me": Understanding Users' Privacy Preferences Regarding AI-based Inferences of Sensitive Information for PersonalizationProceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3613904.3642180(1-21)Online publication date: 11-May-2024
    • (2024)Targeted and Troublesome: Tracking and Advertising on Children’s Websites2024 IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy (SP)10.1109/SP54263.2024.00118(1517-1535)Online publication date: 19-May-2024
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