One day ago, over 1,150 suspects for selling personal data (read more on:Turkish Weekly). Horrifying cases like this occurred worldwide in the recent years. It could be anyone who collect and sell your personal information – your telephone company, hackers who got into your emails, or even your banks! The awareness of private info protection has risen among consumers. As potential victims, people start thinking about how this could happen: who made collecting and selling personal data and so profitable?

As a sales associate in fashion industry, I found that more and more customers started to ask for the reason why stores need their phone numbers or home addresses before they pay for their purchases. It was not that long ago since I learned the “free” membership or reward cards were not one hundred percent free. While getting all sorts of “member-only” discounts/coupons or point perks, consumers are also providing a detailed day to day expense report to the smart retailers.With these valuable resources, business could analyze their groups of customers, their shopping habits, etc.Personally, I did feel a bit uncomfortable when I knew about this. I got the feeling of being watched and followed the entire day. However I get more comfortable later when I persuade myself that most companies do that to provide better products or services to make our lives easier, even tho I still became more conscious while I give out my personal information, just to avoid trash emails or advertisement calls.

I will not say collecting and analyzing consumers’ shopping history by method of reward/membership card, for marketing uses is unethical; but selling definitely is.