Even your “digital exhaust”, such as search requests and browsing history, is often recorded by companies who want to target you with personalised advertising.

HAVING confessed my arachnophobia in these pages, I’ve received what could be a life-changing offer. Would I, read an email, like to attend a “spider courage” workshop and have my fears hypnotised away? Just one session and I’d be cured forever. On forums, enthusiasts rave about hypnotherapy’s effects on everything from anxiety to a fear of heights to bananaphobia.

a crackpot idea

The detected submarine was tracked by sonar, it was easy once they knew where to look.