Netflix tweets about user data.

[GrandFatMan]

Original Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-42323366

Netflix has tweeted about 53 individuals who watched the same movie in a row for 18 days and seemingly mocks them. 

Personally, I accept that Netflix may indeed track user data, people seem to think this isn't a thing in this day and age. Not only that, it helps to drive better content to the platform (even if it is limited here in the UK compared to the USA) 

 

Quote

Netflix has defended a tweet that revealed 53 people had watched its new Christmas film every day for 18 days in a row.

"Who hurt you?" read the tweet, addressed to them.

The tweet caused controversy, with some saying it was "creepy" of the platform to keep such close tabs on its audience, and mock their choices.

However, others found it entertaining - and unsurprising that Netflix should know what its customers were viewing.

In a statement, Netflix said the privacy of its members was important.

"This information represents overall viewing trends, not the personal viewing information of specific, identified individuals," said a representative.

 

[Shreyas1]

That tweet is kinda funny though

[GrandFatMan]

It's hilarious! I think it's great. It's not like they singled out and published their names! 

[Eaglerino]

...how is this different from YouTuber's analytics page

[Enderman]

How is this even news...

[GDRRiley]

this is nothing new, as a small youtube channel I know where my viewers are from how long they watch and when, this is nothing new.

[GrandFatMan]

Exactly! It's no different to youtube analytics. but people are making it news because they don't seem to think that a company, who provides a service, keeps track of it's stock. 

That's like saying your local grocery store doesn't keep a track of what items sell in the summer so they can order a certain brand of ice cream in that sells. 

I remember watching a documentary once about Asda (owned by walmart) here in the uk that could predict the sales perfectly, and one example was ice lollies, down to the last few boxes, based on the weather, and time of day. they sold exactly the same amount that their software predicted, down to the minute. 

This is how Netflix uses data. It's predictive and helps to drive the content, and push things we want to watch. 

[ArduinoBen]

Honestly, I doubt they even looked at their data, and just pulled those numbers out of their heads for a joke.

[Phate.exe]

Just now, GrandFatMan said:

Exactly! It's no different to youtube analytics. but people are making it news because they don't seem to think that a company, who provides a service, keeps track of it's stock. 

This is how Netflix uses data. It's predictive and helps to drive the content, and push things we want to watch. 

It's not like they're even looking at specific user's viewing histories to get to this data.  Anything with a "recommended for you" field is obviously going to be tracking your usage data.  They probably have some sort of histogram of the number of times something was viewed vs users, then saw a weird spike, then noticed that it was one user watching something over and over again.

[GrandFatMan]

Precisely! 

[Brooksie359]

Still do t get why they would tweet about it though. I mean you don't see people tweeting about YouTube analytics. I mean it seems kinda dumb to me that they would do that. As much as it is a joke it also seems childish at the same time. 

[Bensemus]

lol

Breaking News! A website that you created an account on and which recommends stuff based on your watch history and ratings knows what you watch. More in a bit.

 

I mean Netflix just looked at one of their movies and saw some unexpected viewing habits from some accs. 

[GrandFatMan]

Exactly, the reason I posted this, is because of the way the mainstream media interpret these things as "snooping" or "privacy invasion"

[Egg-Roll]

Maybe they are Rose McIver stockers? Seriously, what next?

"To the 53,000 people who have watched Frozen over 500 times, kick you kids outside to enjoy the real snow over watching it."

 

Or perhaps they are using their netflix accounts for business (far more likely), 'tis the season after all.

[79wjd]

25 minutes ago, ArduinoBen said:

Honestly, I doubt they even looked at their data, and just pulled those numbers out of their heads for a joke.

That seems probable; after all, 86% of all statistics are made up. 

[wONKEyeYEs]

I found a problem not with the tracking but with the cruel and demeaning comment.

[Master Disaster]

These people probably have children, you know, the ones who get uber excited over Christmas and can watch the same thing continuously without caring.

[Bensemus]

6 minutes ago, djdwosk97 said:

after all, 86% of all statistics are made up. 

I will never get tired of this joke as it's different every time 

[79wjd]

2 minutes ago, Bensemus said:

I will never get tired of this joke as it's different every time 

Statistically speaking, it's only different 98% of the time

[Rune]

Never change, netflix.

[RagnarokDel]

Probably some store with a loop or something like that

[Bananasplit_00]

Can't say I agree on calling people out like this, mocking them, but the user data stuff should be obvious... Why would they not track this stuff? How else are they going to recommend you stuff, know what's popular and so on? (disclaimer I have never used Netflix and probably never will so idk exactly how it works) 

[Jinchu]

I agree with most of you. The tracking should be obvious and also benefits the customer (via better content). Also the tweet is funny. On a separate topic, I wonder how many workers at Netflix have access to the viewing habits and does that include PII.

 

Is it possible for some to stalk someone specific? You get the idea. Like I said, this is not related to the tweet. And Netflix might be doing this well enough, but I would like to have some transparency on this topic.

[Tcrumpen]

3 hours ago, GrandFatMan said:

Original Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-42323366

Netflix has tweeted about 53 individuals who watched the same movie in a row for 18 days and seemingly mocks them. 

Personally, I accept that Netflix may indeed track user data, people seem to think this isn't a thing in this day and age. Not only that, it helps to drive better content to the platform (even if it is limited here in the UK compared to the USA) 

 

 

I just find this kind of funny; it's things like this that happens a lot in the UK you can tell it's obviously a joke

[Valentyn]

I'm actually angry, that people are angry about it. Are they so dimwitted to think netflix wouldn't have access to what you watch? You literally consent to it when signing up.

 

Next you'll have people angry Amazon knows what people buy.

 

There was less outrage about government wiretapping.Yet when the company anonymously posts how many times unknown people have watched the Bee movie or some cheesy xmas flick the world gets set on fire.