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Should You Sell Your Personal Data?
from the everything-has-a-price dept
It's become increasingly clear over the past few years that it's corporations that are spying on people to get their information, rather than the government - as all the original predictions suggested. As people realize this, there has been more and more support for the idea of letting consumers take back control over their own information - and one of the cleanest ways to do so is to set up some sort of market where a consumer can sell their own info. While there are those who freak out at the idea of any company having any information about them whatsoever, those people can simply opt-out of the system altogether and end up with a lot worse deals and less targeted information towards them. Of course, there's an additional point which is not directly talked about in the article (though it is clearly discussed indirectly). Any such system would need a corresponding way for consumers to share information about the companies and what they've done with their own information. In other words, if the marketplace is to work properly the information needs to flow both ways. Not only does an individual have the option to sell their own data - but they also can see what the company has done with other's information, and then decide if the price is worth it.
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Lawsuit
A few years ago a guy sued a magazine because they sold his name and address to a marketer. His contention was that if they were going to make money using his name, he should get a cut. He lost the lawsuit, but it was on a technicality - when he subscribed to the magazine he had changed his name slightly so that he could track when his name was sold. The judge ruled that it wasn't really his name, so he didn't have a claim. The core legal issue (can they make money by selling your personal information without paying you) was not resolved.
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90210
Just yesterday I was asked for a cash transaction what my zip code was. I replied " 90210 " and will continue to do so when asked.
When asked my phone number I frequently give a local politician's number.
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Fattie, fattie - 2 by 4 ...
Why sell it when the vast majority of " sheeple " are willing to give it away for free via grocery store tracking cards for a perceived discount ?
Do you really think a merchant has the right to know this much about your personal life for 3 cents off your baked beans ?
Who do you think pays to implement these programs ?
I can't wait till the insurance industry gets a hold of these grocery store records and then the fatties insurance premiums can be raised like that of the smokers.
Remember, discrimination is perfectly acceptable when it pertains to insurance.
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Re: Fattie, fattie - 2 by 4 ...
Why sell it when the vast majority of " sheeple " are willing to give it away for free via grocery store tracking cards for a perceived discount ?
I don't have a single problem with this, as they usually allow you to type in a phone number, and they don't require that the phone number is valid (and you can give them just about any information you want, and they usually don't check it, just like RadioSmack.)
Someone else bought a rocky-road ice-cream cake, 2 gallons of milk, six 12-packs of soda, and three bags of chips Saturday...even though I paid for them and walked out of the store with them.
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Re: Fattie, fattie - 2 by 4 ...
“ Non – Loyalty - Frequent Shopper - Club Card “
A FREE SOCIETY DOES NOT SHOW IDENTITY PAPERS TO BUY BREAD !
Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects,
against reasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated,
and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
supported by Oath or affirmation,
and particularly describing the place to be searched,
and the persons or things to be seized.
I feel that your demand for identification jeopardizes my Fourth Amendment rights.
The privacy of my personally identifiable information is not a product or service for
which you are entitled to charge via a discriminatory two-tiered pricing system.
Please kindly instruct your computer to give me the lowest posted price on these purchases.
A FREE AMERICAN by birthright.
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Re: Fattie, fattie - 2 by 4 ...
It's getting pretty bad. Corperate america's "advertising" Ad targeting and poeple that basically don't mind thier own bussiness.(Because that's the bussiness thier in!!LOL)Building portfolio's on each other.Advertising for services. The problem stems from the fact all of our industery has left this country. Except for military and law-enforcement.Alot of our farm's are forgien owned. Liabilities-insurances-enviromental concerns,we've priced ourselves out of work. "an interesting note"Many telemarketeers are actually in prison! When they privatize the judical system I'm leaving!!
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