Ad Observer

Share the ads you see on Facebook and YouTube with researchers and journalists to increase transparency.
What is Ad Observer?
'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.

Add-on stats

Users: 879 ▼ -9
Rating: 3.95 (22)
Version: 3.2.14 (Last updated: 2022-11-14)
Creation date: 2020-07-21
Weekly download count: 1
Firefox on Android: No
Risk impact: High risk impact
Risk likelihood: Low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • storage
  • unlimitedStorage
Size: 544.65K

Other platforms

Ad Observer (v2.2.13 (ea4c344))
4.32 (28) 2,000
Not available on Edge
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Add-on summary

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.

For instance, we've learned that Donald Trump is targeting some ads to fans of Audi cars. We've discovered a group trying to influence Democrats in Rust Belt swing states that didn't disclose its spending. And we've exposed discriminatory job ads that were targeted to exclude women.

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
by jasonbrown1965, 2024-04-04

欢迎光临翻墙部落! 打开天窗,听听外面的声音! 穿越迷雾,寻找人生真谛! https://github.com/osurf/jzdy/blob/master/README.md?
by 翻墙部落, 2022-12-27
View all user reviews

Add-on safety

Risk impact

Ad Observer requires some sensitive permissions that could impact your browser and data security. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk likelihood

Ad Observer has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

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