Advertisers creep me the hell out

MILWAUKEE - Watch an advertisement on a video screen in a mall, health club or grocery store and there's a slim — but growing — chance the ad is watching you too.

As much as I am concerned about privacy issues and government policy -- and I certainly am -- I am possibly even more concerned about advertisers, and the proliferation of companies collecting ever-more-detailed marketing information. Are there any corporations left around here that don't have "loyalty programs"? To obtain a small discount, all you have to do is provide your name and contact info, then let the company (through your reward/membership card) track every purchase you make at the store.

Now they're making ads with video cameras installed in them, to monitor who's watching and tailor content accordingly. Am I the only one wondering how long before they'll be wanting to install similar technology in our TVs?