Ad Observer

A browser extension to share data about your social feed with researchers and journalists to increase transparency.
What is Ad Observer?
'Ad Observer' is a Chrome browser extension developed by the Online Political Transparency Project. It allows you to share the ads you encounter on your social feed with researchers, journalists, and the public. This data contribution plays a significant role in shedding light on online political advertising and how personal data is leveraged for targeting ads. Developed in partnership with the Algorithmic Transparency Institute, Ad Observer is a crucial tool in promoting the digital advertising transparency.

Extension stats

Users: 3,000+
Rating: 5.00 (8)
Version: 3.2.13 (ea4c344) (Last updated: 2022-11-09)
Creation date: 2020-07-24
Risk impact: Low risk impact
Risk likelihood: Very low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 3
Permissions:
  • storage
  • unlimitedStorage
Size: 533.50K

Other platforms

Ad Observer (v3.2.14)
3.95 (22) 879
Not available on Edge
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Extension summary

Analyze keywords

This tool allows you to contribute data about the ads you're shown to further the understanding of researchers, journalists, and the public of online political advertising and how personal data is used to target you with ads.

Ad Observer is offered by the Online Political Transparency Project of New York University. This extension was developed in partnership with the Algorithmic Transparency Institute.

User reviews

I am the weird one always reading T&C and tick off all the box to NO DON'T SAVE ANYTHING but it always annoys me they can collect and use if they want. Thank you so much and I strongly support your research!
by HG, 2022-05-26

Very good idea, looking forward to what they discover.
by Andrew Ronding, 2022-01-27

I'm giving you a review to ask a question, since I can't find another way of doing it within the store. Of course, the amount of stars reflect how I feel at the moment about the extension. So here's the question: Will it work if I have Ublock Origin installed? Will you still see what you'd like to see?
by Gabriel Rivera, 2020-09-16
View all user reviews

Extension safety

Risk impact

Ad Observer requires very minimum permissions.

Risk likelihood

Ad Observer has earned a good reputation and can be trusted.

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Promo images

Ad Observer small promo image
Small promo image

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