Here's a statement of the obvious: The opinions expressed here are those of the participants, not those of the Mutual Fund Observer. We cannot vouch for the accuracy or appropriateness of any of it, though we do encourage civility and good humor.
"... and we’re not able to track them and trace them.."
Yes you are. Why do you think so many stores now make you use a store discount card or type in your phone number to get the true (lower) price on everything from nail polish to candy bars?
For the most part, the store cards are used to determine shopping patterns generally. The data isn't mined so much for individual patterns tied to identities.
Version 1.0 cards don't require names, or if they do, it is easy to provide a fake identity. Version 1.1 cards - stores require proof of identity to get a card Version 2.0 cards - track purchases across multiple stores, see Plenti.
Why do you think so many stores now make you use a store discount card or type in your phone number to get the true (lower) price on everything from nail polish to candy bars?
Mike, I buy the clear nail polish. Use it over the touch-up paint I put on the old pickup. Toughens the paint and makes it stay on better. Adds a nice sparkle too. Fella who runs a body shop recommended that years ago.
I don't think most people realize the extent of the information that can be deduced from your purchases. Consider the following link showing how Target figured out a girl was pregnant before her father did.
Comments
Yes you are. Why do you think so many stores now make you use a store discount card or type in your phone number to get the true (lower) price on everything from nail polish to candy bars?
For the most part, the store cards are used to determine shopping patterns generally. The data isn't mined so much for individual patterns tied to identities.
Version 1.0 cards don't require names, or if they do, it is easy to provide a fake identity.
Version 1.1 cards - stores require proof of identity to get a card
Version 2.0 cards - track purchases across multiple stores, see Plenti.
Remember too that banks are watching your cash movements - it's not just $10K transactions, but anything they consider "suspicious".
http://budgeting.thenest.com/bank-reporting-guidelines-cash-deposits-23318.html
See, e.g. Eliot Spitzer. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/spitzer-caught-article-1.288370
All that said, I think it is clear we are moving toward more and more tracking and less privacy.
Mike, I buy the clear nail polish. Use it over the touch-up paint I put on the old pickup. Toughens the paint and makes it stay on better. Adds a nice sparkle too. Fella who runs a body shop recommended that years ago.
10 Additional Uses for Nail Polish http://hellogiggles.com/10-additional-uses-for-nail-polish/
Good one though.
Regards,
Ted
https://www.google.com/search?q=cash&biw=1067&bih=487&tbm=isch&imgil=KKxSPP_NUa3V8M%3A%3B7BPYtfVnM6rzaM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.boundless.com%252Ffinance%252Ftextbooks%252Fboundless-finance-textbook%252Fintroduction-to-the-field-and-goals-of-financial-management-1%252Fasset-classes-29%252Fcash-169-1031%252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=KKxSPP_NUa3V8M%3A%2C7BPYtfVnM6rzaM%2C_&usg=__Un8kJypmdq1zu2z59YozN11Ao-0=&ved=0ahUKEwj00vzt5KLMAhVH5iYKHR6VBxcQyjcISA&ei=umEaV_SNO8fMmwGeqp64AQ#imgrc=KKxSPP_NUa3V8M:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/02/16/how-target-figured-out-a-teen-girl-was-pregnant-before-her-father-did/#6fcf484634c6