Sunday, September 13, 2026

Be careful when using sponsored links

I don't know what it means, so I won't put out any politically-based generalizations.


Turning Point is spending money for outreach by using Google ads -













It don't know if TP's outreach campaign is nationwide or focused on Arizona only, but it brings up a valid (and non-political) point -

When using your preferred internet search engine, it may be best to ignore sponsored results.

As can be seen from above, a sponsored link may direct someone to a place that is polar opposite of the desired site.

Also, even when the title of a sponsored link has the name of the searched-for site, the actual link may direct a user to a hostile site.

...TP is not the only anti-democracy operator going online in order to further their agenda.

From ElectionLawBlog, dated 9/8 -

“The hidden dangers of Musk’s votesafe.org”

[snip]

While Vote.gov collects no personal information, votesafe.org collects the following:

  • First, middle, and last name
  • Date of birth
  • Full home address
  • Email address
  • Cell phone number
  • IP address and location (This information is used to derive each user’s city, zip code, approximate longitude and latitude, time zone, and internet provider.)
  • Browser, operating system, screen size and language of your device
  • What website referred you to votesafe.org
  • Every link you click
  • Every page you look at
  • Your voter registration status (This is derived from a voter file held by America PAC or its vendors — not the state’s actual records.)
  • Your district and ballot (This is derived from Ballotpedia.)

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