Campaign consultants are using techniques employed by digital marketers to target and tailor messages to potential voters that are in-line with their online browsing habits. The consultants have purchased demographic data that details shopping habits, gambling histories, financial problems, etc. based on social network exchanges and browsing history. The campaigns have also been using cookies on voters' computers to see "if they frequent evangelical or erotic Web sites for clues to their moral perspectives. Voters who visit religious Web sites might be greeted with religion-friendly messages when they return to mittromney.com or barackobama.com."
According to the article, the campaigns have turned to companies like Acxion, Experian, Equifax, Rapleaf, and Intelius, several of which are subjects of Congressional scrutiny over privacy concerns.
The campaigns are also focusing on research into social habits, specifically, the campaigns and affiliates have "asked their supporters to provide access to their profiles on Facebook and other social networks to chart connections to low-propensity voters in battleground states like Colorado, North Carolina and Ohio."
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/14/us/politics/campaigns-mine-personal-lives-to-get-out-vote.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0
Alex Elawadi, 10 29 12
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