Is our Privacy Under Attack from Technology?

Here in the UK all of the big brand supermarkets check everything that you buy when shopping in one of them, this information has been used for some time, and the supermarkets and their suppliers then send out advertising to you home via the post. Also, the supermarkets sell this information on to big businesses for millions of pounds, to me that is an invasion of my privacy, and we have laws in this country covering data protection, so hopefully one day soon, someone will complain to the data protection agency, then the sh-t will really hit the fan!

Myself I refuse to buy anything from these big supermarket chains, that way my data is safe!

Xanasax

"Also, the supermarkets sell this information on to big businesses ..." Can you provide some sort of reliable documentation supporting this comment? Does this only occur where you shop, or common around the world?

"Myself I refuse to buy anything from these big supermarket chains, that way my data is safe!" How about cash?

"...and the supermarkets and their suppliers then send out advertising to you home via the post." How do you know this if you do not shop there?

Hi Doorman, There has been so much talk about this on two or three TV programs within the last month alone, and it has also been reported in the newspapers.

I believe this only happens in the UK, and I used to shop at most of these supermarkets until I found out about this type of thing happening, and of course, if you use only money to pay for your goods then it cannot happen to you, but most people here only use their debit or credit cards.

Most people here in England do not want this, but nearly all of our politicians are paid by the big businesses, usually as a member of the board, and some of them like our Prime Minister are millionaires, and as such they will not stop the supermarkets from selling on our data, shopping or otherwise!

Xanasax

Although Xanasax is probably correct about the fact that supermarkets sell information to big businesses as even facebook stalks you with the little things to provide you with relevent advertising, Doorman brings up a good point that I do not see very often. You cannot trust anybody to tell you the truth-only faith tells whether or not you will even believe it. Even if you hear something in the news, do not let it impact your life dramatically, unless you have additional reasons or proofs as to why to follow through.

For example, you are boycotting big supermarket chains because you heard they are misusing your credit card information. If you were to buy food from a farmers' market, you would have the additional reason that it is probably local food and therefore better for the environment. If you were to buy from a local convenience store and you find out what they said on the news was false, you'd think of yourself a fool to be limiting yourself of selection.

Here in the US we get discounts for applying to the super markets for their frequent shopper programs. I take advantage of several of them.

However, I am not aware of any laws that require me to give them an accurate (or even real) address or phone number.

AFAIC, let them sell the info I provided. It's just going to cost them money if they don't validate it.

Hooker