The truth is that we all join different social networks to feel connected and to feel like we are a part of something. We join groups that we find interesting, ones that fit our personality and try to stay connected with friends. Just like in the virtual world in the real world you want to stay in the loop and be aware of what is going on around you.
We know that we are watched during all of our online interactions. As marketers try to predict patterns, trends and essentially the consumers next move. At first, this seemed like an invasion of privacy, but now many platforms allow for the user to pick and choose what information is shared. Alright, I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel a little bit better. Since, I can always decide to opt-out of something…right? Well…
Actually, just as we got used to the idea of being followed online, researchers are now moving into the real world. By tracking consumers through their mobile devices, data is collected by location and about the conversation, which can be turned in to a real world social network map. From a marketing perspective this information seems priceless, an easy way to gather information and use it to predict the next big trend. From a consumer perspective this idea is crazy; it seems that there is nothing that can be kept private. The ability already exists to track my online world activity, but now all my daily activity can be tracked too.
Am I the only person that feels that there is something wrong or slightly off here?
The idea is mind blowing, that we have the technology and capability to learn this type of information. And as the article mentioned, I can see how it could help with inefficiencies and also help predict the spread of a disease outbreak. But I want my personal information and space back. I want to feel that I can keep a secret and have some element of surprise.
In today’s world where everything is available at our fingertips, is there any information that is truly private?
Concerning privacy, being able to opt-out is great, but a more considerate approach is to be able to opt-in to giving away your information. In many cases it seems as though companies only go the opt-in route if there is some legal recourse for not giving you the option.
ReplyDeleteSome people may feel this is being over the top, but companies gather information about you to use for marketing purposes or sell it to someone else for a profit. If you are going to gather personal information on me and turn around and make a buck on it then I want in. My proposal is all privacy information should be opt-in and I should get commission if you sell my information. Any takers?
I am with you. I think that the people that create these sites have a tremendous power over us now that they know everything we do. However, as a marketer, I think this information gathering through cell phones, social networking sites, and email is the best way to create target segments. I personally don't want commercials on TV anymore. I walk to work, so I don't see billboards in the metro stations. Social networking mapping is key to developing new products and launching them to the right group. I guess to be a marketer I have to understand that I am losing my privacy... but hey, maybe that will force people to go back to face to face communication. Maybe families will sit down to dinner again because they feel like communicating on social networking sites is an invasion of privacy (doubtful, but just a thought).
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