tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5834918712307277651.post928339900217928129..comments2023-10-24T01:43:58.845-07:00Comments on The Situation Network: Can Data-Mining be Avoided? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409086789684415297noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5834918712307277651.post-26763080945706148072014-01-29T12:01:57.417-08:002014-01-29T12:01:57.417-08:00Thank you so much for your comment and thoughts. J...Thank you so much for your comment and thoughts. Just to clarify, I do not believe the government should regulate data-mining or outlaw it. Consumers often hand their information out willingly in order to snag the deals or get rewards. It is not the government's role to outlaw something that people do willingly in a free society. <br /><br />I absolutely agree with you and Adam Theirer about educating the consumer so that they can make an informed decision. I can see that you believe Target's data collecting of your purchase history is helpful to you because you get 5% off with your card and you get custom coupons. I, on the other hand, do not find it helpful because, well, I love to shop. So when a store gives me a coupon or shows me an ad that features something I did not even know I wanted (but they did because they have been collecting my data), it encourages me to spend money I probably would not have spent otherwise (or at least not spent on that product). <br /><br />I think Adam's statement sums it up quite nicely: "[In a free society, data-mining] will always be a hugely contentious matter and that a great many people will gladly trade away their privacy in a way that others will consider outrageous..."<br /><br />Thanks, again!<br /><br />Mary Kate Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15409086789684415297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5834918712307277651.post-34575286408704238122014-01-28T14:05:17.211-08:002014-01-28T14:05:17.211-08:00Thanks Mary - this is one of the more balanced, in...Thanks Mary - this is one of the more balanced, informative writings I've seen on this topic!<br /><br />I would push back on your conclusion a bit - I think the consumer is also a winner in data sharing. Many of us choose to voluntarily trade some of our data for the services, products and deals that we desire because it benefits us in some way. I love my Target Red card because it saves me 5% on every purchase I make AND it personalizes my deals.<br /><br />You seem well read on the issue but, if you're interested, Mercatus scholar Adam Theirer has written extensively on this topic from a free-market perspective. He just posted this morning about it (http://techliberation.com/2014/01/27/is-privacy-an-unalienable-right-the-problem-with-privacy-paternalism/) and did some PBS and NPR media the last week.<br /><br />One of his conclusions is that we should educate folks on their options - like you're doing here. Using cash, refusing to answer clerks, etc. The more information people have, the better prepared they are to make a decision on if/how much info they want to trade for the things they want. I'm all for education. I'm certainly NOT for legal restrictions on data mining. I think you would agree - people should always have the right to exchange information freely.<br /><br />My two cents.<br /><br />Again, great topic! I for one would love to see more of your economic commentary.KelChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03702296154479380996noreply@blogger.com