Data Mining



http://www.pcworld.com/article/2043327/how-we-sabotage-our-own-privacy-for-deals-and-ego.html
 

True privacy is a thing of the past.   Mark Gibbs states in his article that "you'd have to be willing to live in a cabin way out in the woods somewhere, have no utilities, spend only cash, grow most of your own food, never, ever, ever get sick and, if you were really serious, break the law by not filing your taxes and being generally unaccountable as a citizen."  The reality is, that is not possible for the overwhelming majority of people in the world, and they are okay with that.  Most people are willing to give up their so called "privacy" for the conveniences of todays world.  Most people love the fact that they do not have to leave their couch to go shopping or pay the credit card they maxed out doing so. 

I personally am guilty of being one of the people okay with giving up some of my privacies.  I still do not bank or pay bills online, but I love to shop online.  I am pretty sure Netflix and Pandora know my tastes better than I do, and I am happy to have them mining my likes and dislikes to provide me with new and relevant content for my viewing and listening pleasure.  I know Facebook and Google have been in the news for sharing information, and I feel like as long as they put it in their privacy disclosure, it is up to the consumer to use their product or not.  Facebook does not make anyone put their private information on their site.  I know people who don't even use their real names on Facebook, so as to keep their identity safe.  I personally think this is going overboard, but if it makes them feel better, go for it.