'Ad Observer' is a Firefox add-on tool developed by the Cybersecurity for Democracy project and the Algorithmic Transparency Institute. It allows users to share the ads they encounter on Facebook and YouTube with researchers, journalists, and the public. Its primary purpose is to better understand online political advertising and personal data usage, shine a light on ad-targeting processes, and enhance overall online ad transparency.
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This tool allows you to contribute data about the ads you're shown to further the understanding of researchers, journalists, and the public of online political advertising and how personal data is used to target you with ads.
Ad Observer is offered by the Cybersecurity for Democracy project at New York University. This extension was developed in partnership with the Algorithmic Transparency Institute.
User reviews
These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews.
Firefox Browser Add-ons does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate,
spammy, or outdated.
Pros
Good idea and will hopefully generate useful data.
Do your bit for Democracy without even trying.
Cons
Made my Youtube TV stop working on Firefox Linux so had to disable it.
Most mentioned
Good idea and will hopefully generate useful data.
Recent reviews
"Transition to Static
"Based on a funding shortfall, NYU Cybersecurity for Democracy have come to the difficult decision to mothball the ongoing Ad Observatory project.."
Appears this project has been closed, see https://adobservatory.org/transition-to-static