Today when I checked my facebook account I noticed that there was a sponsored ad which popped up on my page (in my news feed specifically.) It was for ADHDMoms...

I know Facebook allows advertisers to target based upon use and certain criteria, but, there is nothing about my facebook account what has anything about ADHD on it. Furthermore, I use facebook as largely professional networking tool, so I don't want ADHD ads (still not sure if they are view-able to my friends who see my newfeed) popping up there. Regardless, my concern is that I joined CHADD a couple of weeks ago, never thinking personal, private medical information would be shared with third party spammers. I went to look at the CHADD website privacy policy (which I hadn't checked when I joined -- you have to search for it, it isn't promenantly displayed at the bottom of the page like most responsible websites do) and indeed they can share and sell your personal information to third party affiliates. This is really not okay. If I join CHADD to learn about my son's condition, it is not okay for them to sell third parties that information. Now, in my case I believe I have it too, but it has never been diagnosed. I think that sites that deal with medical conditions that require membership have an even higher duty to NOT sell contact information. Especially if I'm paying a membership fee. I'm considering cancelling the membership and reporting them to the EFF and antispam agencies. But, first I wanted to hear if anyone else knows of or suspects that Chadd is selling it's mailing list... I wrote to the company who ran the ad of facebook, but only got an automated reply back, which didn't address my concern. I don't really care if companies are non-profits and have good intentions; spamming or targeting me using my personal (or my child's personal) medical info is way over my line.

If I'm wrong, I appologize for suspecting CHADD, if not, it is something to be concerned with.

BTW, I checked ADD Forum's policy and it is clear and just.

facebook and myspace make all of their money from placing advertisements based on your interests and they can find out about your interests in many ways such as through cookies, spyware, affiliate sites... not to mention that when you go to facebook they can detect what website you just came from because your browser sends that data to them as a referrer url. they can monitor your facebook page for keywords, they can build a profile on you based on who your freinds are and what groups you belong to, etc.

I think the Referrer URL is only sent if going to another page is caused by one clicking on a link. It does not apply to going to another site by other means, such as typing in a URL directly into the browser, or by using a bookmark/favorite. However, cookies and especially affiliate sites are especially applicable.

I would seriously doubt that CHADD would be to blame for this. Usually, companies sell this information to others, which in turn send spam e-mail or junk snail mail, or even contact you by phone. But the main thing is the extent. Just because their policy claims that they may use and sell your information, doesn't mean that they will sell it to anyone. Usually, they're going to sell it to those offering related services (related to ADHD), not just random advertisers.

I'm very familiar with how websites gather information, and have developed privacy policies for internet companies. I guess I naively felt that CHADD would be above this kind of practice. Here's the problem. I do not want my private information, especially medical information, nor that of my child, shared with any third party. The fact that I'm a member of Chadd may make me more likely to be receptive to marketers targeting those with ADD or children with ADD, but, I really think when it comes to medical information, and medically oriented communities (such as this one) extra care has to be given to protecting that information.

In my case I use my facebook profile for professional activities. And today I got a highly targeted advertisment in my private news feed. This was creepy and wrong.

I suspected CHADD because I just joined them and they have a highly commercial feel; the I read their privacy policy which is a very weak one, and basically perserves CHADD's right to use your private information as they see fit (selling to another ADHD organization isn't benign in my opinion.) I didn't read it prior to joining, I should have, but they don't provide an easily accessible link to their privacy policy (that's the first clue something is off.) Especially since CHADD charges a membership fee, you'd think they'd be less inclined to sell their lists. But I will ask them directly. I've already asked the group that sponsored the ad on Facebook.

It's possible that Facebook's cookies are tracking my activities outside of Facebook and therefore all the time I spend on ADD Forums is showing up and that's how the third party targeted me. But, I have this feeling it has to do with CHADD. I could be wrong...

Thanks.

It's possible that Facebook's cookies are tracking my activities outside of Facebook and therefore all the time I spend on ADD Forums is showing up and that's how the third party targeted me. But, I have this feeling it has to do with CHADD. I could be wrong...

Yes... although is usually isn't possible for one website to directly read the cookies on your computer from another website (though bugs do sometimes make this possible), often times elements on web pages (such as images) come from third-party websites, and thus, cookie information is sent to these websites when these elements are downloaded. So, yes, facebook could be directly, or more likely, indirectly tracking your habits, by matching a series of cookie values that are known to identify you (by your facebook username, third party identifiers, etc.).

Well, I google a lot of other things besides ADHD (even medical things like Thyroid Disease, etc.) and I have never felt like *wham*, I joined Chadd and then I start getting targeted ADHD ads in my newstream on Fb.... which is a site I use professionally (mostly) and it was disconcerting to think, well, what if I were working with someone on this page...anyhow....

When I get to the bottom of all this I'll let ya'll know....

Evidently the company which purchased the adverisement only targed the Fb ad by "married women aged 30-45". Well got me there! I'm relieved but still surprised by the coincidence.

They did not purchase mailing list from CHADD.