When the Patriot Act was signed over a decade ago, a significant number of people cautioned about the loss of privacy. We had to balance security vs. loss of privacy. The law enforcement agencies could see what books you checked out at the library.
Now, the era of big data analysis is upon us. This will be a controversial issue. The following article highlights this. In a nutshell, companies are developing a real expertise to know why we purchase what we do. An example, Target executives say they can tell if a young lady is pregnant by what she purchases. So offers and coupons for baby products stream into the home. Unfortunately, the young lady may not have told her parents that she is pregnant. What a way for a parent to find out.
We do not realize how much we do is based on habit or needs. Several decades ago CBS 60 Minutes ran a story on what a private detective could tell about you by reviewing the checks you write. The subject was a middle aged man. The segment did cutaways of the private detective commenting on the checks written and the activities and interests of the control subject. It was amazing and right on target. Without ever meeting the man, the private detective gave a very detailed description. Even down to the man’s concern for his hair.
Now think about this. The private detective had some level of training that allowed him to develop an impressive profile of the man, down to some amazing miniscule details. This is not easily taught or replicated.
Today, we have systems that can analyze our purchases, draw conclusions and send us relevant coupons. All within a matter of minutes and able to do this analysis on millions of citizens. When I read a story like this my immediate thought is what is next? What will private corporations know about me that I may not know about myself? My only suggestion? Pay cash for every thing.
http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/10/what_should_you_tell_customers.html
