Expect an increase in spam during the holidays, especially if this is the case. Buy online. But it could be worse than I thought.
Proton, an encrypted messaging service, launched its own messaging service on Wednesday Spam tracking reportwhich analyzed marketing messages sent over a 28-day period, including the Black Friday weekend. The report shows that 80% of retailers embed hidden trackers in their marketing emails that tell them if you open the email, what device you view it on and if you click on any of the links. If you open any of these emails, you risk receiving even more spam.
The report raises questions and how retailers use our data.
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Look for embedded tracking links
Proton has created an inbox specifically to collect marketing emails between November 4th and December 1st. Before the email is displayed, it passes through the Proton Mail servers, which compare the message code with a database known to recognize domains and pixel signatures. Proton has also used its advanced tracking protection feature to prevent retailers from collecting more information. The study looked at 50 of the largest retailers with physical and online stores and looked at timestamp, sender, subject line and whether the email contained an embedded tracking link or tracking pixel.
Proton researchers combined the data with the number of loyalty program members, each retailer’s US market share and the number of emails sent by similar retailers. Proton has divided these companies into four groups. The resellers they call “the worst of the worst” are the ones that send regular emails and contain the most tracking links. Some stores have managed to avoid bombarding customers with tracking emails, with Proton calling them the “most respectful” senders.
Specific offers and their classification.
The worst of the worst included CB2, Anthropologie, Victoria’s Secret, VS Pink and Crate & Barrel.
“These brands represent the highest daily frequency during the study period: brands that are constantly competing for attention,” the study said.
But Nike, Bass Pro Shops, H&M, New Balance and Burlington were very respectful and did not send emails with trackers while Proton monitored the emails.
“Spam Watch’s findings confirm a stark reality: the inbox has become a very noisy, high-volume channel where brands are vying for attention by quietly collecting data at every opening,” Anant Vijay Singh, chief product officer at Proton Mail, said in a statement. “This is no accident, it is a planned attack on your attention and privacy.”
Do this to reduce spam
Protecting your private information from third parties is a real concern for many people. The latest report reinforces consumer fears about how to do this Companies use your personal data.
In some cases, you may choose to do this to protect yourself. Data deletion services as Opty.
You can reduce unwanted marketing messages by using similar email security services. pathopathic or – yes, the company that carried out the research – proton.
iPhone users who pay for iCloud Plus get access to AA “Hide my email address” function.which can also help minimize spam.