AI/ML AI can profile users from ad patterns alone, study finds May 11, 2026 Share By SC Staff (Adobe Stock) Artificial intelligence can now create detailed personal profiles by analyzing the ads users see, without direct access to personal data. Researchers have demonstrated that the patterns of advertisements displayed to individuals can reveal significant personal traits and information, according to Tech Radar. A study by UNSW Sydney and QUT involving over 435,000 Facebook ads from 891 Australians revealed that large language models can infer a user's gender, age, education, employment, political leanings, and economic status solely from the ads they are exposed to. This AI-driven profiling is significantly faster and cheaper than human analysis, with short browsing sessions providing sufficient data for accurate inference. The most probable attack vector involves malicious browser extensions, which already possess the necessary permissions to read web page content and can discreetly collect ad data. This method is particularly concerning due to its stealth, as the extensions continue to function normally, making detection difficult. The advertising platforms themselves are unaware of this repurposing of their delivery systems for surveillance. While VPNs offer no protection against this form of profiling, individuals are urged to be cautious with browser extensions and adjust privacy settings. The researchers advocate for updated privacy laws that address inferred data, not just collected data, to protect users' online privacy. Source: Tech Radar An In-Depth Guide to AI Get essential knowledge and practical strategies to use AI to better your security program. Learn More SC Staff Related AI benefits/risks Why we need a ‘zero-trust for code’ behavioral approach to secure software Ken Ammon May 11, 2026 AI has broken down the old model for classifying code – here’s how a behavioral approach makes more sense today. AI/ML What OpenClaw revealed about the agent security model Goutham Nekkalapu May 11, 2026 OpenClaw exposed how insecure agent architectures can turn AI ecosystems into attack surfaces. AI/ML Vibe coding has cybersecurity asking what AI can — and can’t — replace Laura French May 11, 2026 Cyber pros balance hype, skepticism and uncertainty as AI coding disrupts industry norms. Get daily email updates SC Media's daily must-read of the most current and pressing daily news Business Email By clicking the Subscribe button below, you agree to SC Media Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . Subscribe You can skip this ad in 5 seconds