Bunuel wrote:
Internet search engines record the search history of users, unless a user follows a specific set of frequently complex steps to opt out of such tracking. Users who do not successfully complete these steps can find themselves subjected to regular, targeted advertising in search results based on their search histories. Therefore, internet search users would benefit from taking the time to learn how to opt out of search history tracking.
Which of the following must be assumed to believe the conclusion about opting out of search history tracking?
A. Search engines are capable of recording an unlimited amount of any individual’s search history.1
B. Internet users find it not inconvenient to receive advertising in their search results.
C. Regular advertising in search results is a frequent complaint of many internet users.
D. Ignoring targeted advertising is not significantly less time consuming than learning how to opt out of such advertising. I
E. The complexity of search engine opt out steps is intentionally high, since search engines derive revenues from the number of viewers they deliver to advertisers.
ExplanationChoice A: No. That
search engines are capable of recording an unlimited amount of any individual’s search history is not a necessary assumption to believe the conclusion.
Choice B: No. This is a reversal, because if
internet users find it not inconvenient, or convenient,
to receive advertising in their search results, then the conclusion would be less valid.
Choice C: No. That
regular advertising in search results is a frequent complaint of many internet users is not a necessary assumption to believe the conclusion.
Choice D: Yes. That
ignoring targeted advertising is not infinitely less time consuming than learning how to opt out of such advertising is a necessary assumption to believe the conclusion, because if the opposite were true, then the argument would no longer be valid, since it would take less time to ignore the ads than to opt out in the first place.
Choice E: No. That
the complexity of search engine opt out steps is intentionally high, since search engines derive revenues from the number of viewers they deliver to advertisers is not a necessary assumption to believe the conclusion.
The correct answer is choice D.