I am a woman trying on lingerie while you watch me decide. I am a man renting a pornographic movie while you record my choice. I am a teenage boy who decides against buying condoms because I know you are watching...waiting to record my choice.
An invasion of privacy is simply that, an invasion of privacy. The web and it's advertisers should not have free rein in recording your online activity. There should be an opt-in option. (Not an automatic enrollment with an opt-out option, as Google tried when launching Buzz.)
If invasion of privacy is allowed for advertisement purposes online, how long will it be before it is allowed offline? How long before advertisers are allowed to watch and record you try on clothing to help further their sales? Is it ok as long as they don't show your face?
In my opinion, the laws on privacy need to be tightened down a bit. I do not choose to have you record my every move whether it be online or off. If you would like to sell me something you will have to be a little more creative than spying...
You raise interesting points here about the difference between online tracking and off - and, of course, customer information *is* often tracked in the offline space. Which products are most popular, what income bracket the customers are in (ever give your zip code to a cashier in a store?), which colors are most popular, etc., together with focus groups, marketing surveys, etc., all feed into offline tracking.
ReplyDeleteYou also mention that online tracking constitutes "spying" - why do you feel this is spying? I'm curious to know more about the use of that term.
I am aware that offline tracking is done. My concern with tracking offline and online as well, is to what extent they will take tracking. It seems as tho anytime an inch is given a mile is taken where privacy is concerned. And yes I do believe it is spying. The definition of spying is: watch, observe, or inquire secretly and that is in my opinion what these companies are doing. I did not give my permission or opt in therefore it is a violation of my privacy.
ReplyDelete