Gone are the days when we used to buy hard copies of our favorite movies to watch them. And to wait with patience to catch our much-awaited shows to release a weekly episode. The hustle was real but it had its own charm. Now, in the digital era, things have evolved tremendously.
As a result, it has replaced many things with better or more comfortable options. The way we consume entertainment has been greatly altered by it too. And now the streaming platforms have taken the world by storm. And people barely watch anything on television.
Instead online streaming of their favorite content, wherever they want, however they want. Truly the best thing to happen. There are tons of streaming platforms that the audience consumes widely. They have become so addicted to it that they will go to any extent to stream the content they want.
For instance, Netflix and Hulu are renowned names in the field. However, Hulu is barred from an international audience outside USA. But you will still see people using Hulu in Jamaica and in many other regions where it is supposed to be restricted
Not just that sharing platforms with our friends and much more, portrays how desperate we are when there is the need for streaming platforms. But often forget in the meanwhile we are sharing countable personal information about ourselves with them. We should know what sort of information is at stake while we enjoy streaming.
Your Watch History
Whatever you watch on streaming platforms, you might think that this information is only confined to yourself. You are wrong, the streaming platforms, almost every single of it, keeps an eye on all your watching activities.
Like what shows and films you watch, and how often you stream. What kind of shows and movies do you watch frequently? It is all recorded.
The purpose of doing so is, to generate recommendations of flicks and shows to you. As per your likeness.
Your Search History
Similarly like above, they also keep an eye on what you search for in your search bar. Like they keep a watch on what you do, they also analyze what websites or things on the internet catch your attention.
Moreover, do you ever wonder that when you find a product that you need, after a while you start getting relevant ads and suggestions in your feed? Now you know why out of nowhere you are bombard with advertisements for products. It is all because streaming platforms monitor your search history.
Your Location
Another crucial piece of information that streaming platforms extract from your data. And that is your location. Many streaming platforms also track your location and relevant activities. The main reason behind following your location is to offer you local content.
Streaming platforms have tons of local content available in certain regions. By monitoring your location, they can effortlessly provide you with more of the content that you may like.
Your Payment Information
Your payment information is also something that streaming platforms take interest in. And to collect this sensitive information about your accounts and credit cards is a breeze for them. How they get their hands on it is pretty simple, your subscription payment is the gateway to all that information.
But hang on, there is no need to sweat it. The streaming platforms are liable to keep your information safe and sound. So, you dont have to worry about that.
Your Device Information
Streaming platforms are also aware of the device where you have logged in to their streaming app. Moreover, what sort of operating system does that device along with what is the model of your device? Sounds crazy, isn’t it? But this is all to make sure that their app is working smoothly and is capable of running on that particular device.
What good or bad impact does it have?
The seemingly good impact that this could have is that it helps to provide you with recommendations and ads that could benefit you and entertain you. Ultimately it will save plenty of your time and energy in searching for your desired stuff.
Moreover, there are some platforms that also give you access to exclusive content. And they want nothing in exchange but for just seeing a few ads.
As far as the drawbacks are concerned, it is a common notion that the thought of knowing. That someone knows and tracks all of your online activity is quite frustrating. Plus, the potential risk it holds is also adding up in the situation.
Wrapping Up
Streaming platforms do have your data, and there is not much that you can do to limit their hold. Although there is nothing to stress over it, the data which they extract is to benefit you with relevant content.