Coming from Africa, I have obviously realized a lot of changes in my environment. However, one key thing that has attracted my attention is the way most of shopping centers and various businesses uses  tools to collect vast amount of data about their customers without  their awareness.

Reading through the net, I landed on an a news video that shows how a San Francisco retail store uses sophisticated cameras to collect very detailed information about its customers; everything they do inside the store and even more their facial expressions and age of each customer.

Gathering as much information as possible about customers do improve business results by designing more appealing products and improving customer services  but I believe that this should be done in way that satisfy both parties; the business and the consumers. Mostly, government seem to have the power of gathering information on a large scale about its population but the later understands to a considerable degree that it is for security reasons and also good governance.

Since the power of technology has increased, I think it would be preferable if these technologies are not used to invade the privacy of its customers without them knowing. It makes sense for retailers to use security tools or tools that improve customer service but using sophisticated technologies to collect all types of information that could be sold to other parties or used in malicious activities and worryingly without customers awareness; If feel this could be considered as a stretch by businesses involved which I judge to be questionable since ones privacy has to be respected. The fact is these practices would expand as businesses grow around the world; it is up to the local government to keep in check of the increasing power of big businesses over its citizens.

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/assignment_7&id=9131638