I know, I know. This is one of those things that people who wear tin foil hats talk about, but it's hard to not question it.

Let me preface this by saying that I generally understand how Facebook ads work. I know how to install Facebook's tracking code on websites. I've done it. I know how targeting audiences for paid ads works. I've done it.

Now, the story. I got served an ad for whatever wacky footwear came out of the Birkenstock and Crocs collaboration. I don't shop for shoes often, and definitely haven't looked at those, even by accident. I have no idea how I could've triggered a retargeting campaign.

I did, however, listen to a YouTube video that talked about a brand collaboration between Swatch and Omega earlier in the day. In that video, there was mention of the Birkenstock and Crocs collaboration. Not in the title, not in the description, just spoken. Once.

It's rather curious to end up getting served a very specific ad the next time I opened up Facebook. It's not coincidental. It can't be.

Now I don't know if Facebook is actually listening to whatever my phone's microphone is picking up. The easy solution is one that I've done many times: delete Facebook from my phone. Guess it's time to do that again.

Tin foil hat or not, this kind of crap doesn't help increase trust in the company. I hope there will be a mass exodus from Facebook someday.