Sheetwise
Will brings his own flavor:
For decades, Target has collected vast amounts of data on every person who regularly walks into one of its stores. Whenever possible, Target assigns each shopper a unique code — known internally as the Guest ID number — that keeps tabs on everything they buy.
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I think in your example, it’s not creepy when a single person does it because you can relate to that person. You might do it yourself for someone else. But for a large business to do that is creepy because you see no benefit to them collecting that kind of info on you except to sell you things. And i don’t want to actively be sold things. I want to buy things at my leisure. It’s a little stalker-ish too, watching me like that.
Also, while i feel it’s ok for a clerk at a store to notice what i buy, i’d feel a little squikky about them noticing, writing it down, and selling that information to someone who was all “I’d like to know about his buying habits in case i’ve got something he might need.”
I think that would be weird not ok.
I get that privacy is changing. But what you seem to forget is that our information has value. It has value to whoever wants it. I think we should be more wary of who we give it to, even if it’s just buying habits, and i think we shouldn’t just give it away. You want it? PAY ME FOR IT [while i’m dreaming, i’d also like a pony].
