I’m not paranoid. Really, I’m not.
But I am becoming increasingly protective of my privacy as I get bombarded with companies trying to glean bits of information about me to find out if I am a desired candidate for their products and services.
My grocery store will offer me significant savings on food purchases as long as I swipe their discount card through the electronic reader. While I like the savings, every time I use that card, they have more information about the Ford family’s buying habits. Have they noticed we are no longer buying diapers? For what purpose will they use that information?
I purposely have never written my daughter’s name on anything mailed, although the two parenting magazines I subscribe to have asked for it. Mail for “Ford child” still manages to reach our box.
A few of the stores that I frequent ask me for my zip code before they ring up the first purchase. It bugs me enough that when I remember, I use a zip code that I no longer live in.
The wireless industry finds itself in the middle of the privacy issue. On the one hand, the CALEA law requires that telecom carriers and manufacturers make system modifications that will allow the FBI to wiretap digital phones. Under current law, carriers could face fines of up to $10,000 a day starting Oct. 25 if they don’t comply with those mandates.
The wireless industry and privacy activists argue the FBI is going beyond the law.
On the other hand, the wireless industry already has access to mountains of personal information just from calling records. (How much does a customer spend each month? When is this customer most likely use his phone? From that, is this person probably on his phone for business or personal use?)
Software companies preach that carriers should use this information to be proactive in determining how to best please that customer, which could prevent that customer from churning to a competitor.
Some E911 solutions could actually track people. Will your customers want that? Will they even know that?
Is there an obligation to tell them?
