This article about how corporations track shopping habits is about privacy more broadly than just in the context of the internet; however, it is undeniable that the internet opens up a wealth of new information about consumers and ways to target them with advertisements. The fact that so much of this information is compiled and sold makes the nature of internet activity inherently tied to other activities that threaten privacy (such as detailed tracking by major corporations). I want to be clear in saying that I don't think all this information and targeted advertising is necessarily a bad thing, but the potential for abuse seems rampant.
"How Companies Learn Your Secrets" by Charles Duhigg
Published in the New York Times, February 16, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/shopping-habits.html?_r=3&hp=&pagewanted=all
Eric
Fascinating, i'm getting that guys book. I have no issues with that type of data being used in this manner. Consumers love to be catered to but enjoy making it difficult. This type of understanding is important on my levels in life.
ReplyDeleteAnd until i'm not the only one commenting can you PLEASE remove the stupid protection to post a comment???