Database Nation: The Aftermath
from the cleaning-up-ID-theft dept
Welcome to Database Nation, where not only is it easier than ever for companies to track your every purchase, but it's just as easy for identity thieves to steal that info. A number of companies are now dealing with the aftermath of large-scale database security breaches that are quite costly. Companies are learning they don't just have to figure out a better way to secure the databases in question, but also to set up systems to fix any of the problems they caused, such as by sending out new credit cards to everyone impacted. Makes you wonder if it's worth it.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
The problem is that marketers have smoked so much crack that they mostly are going overboard.
They've become so information hungry that they think knowing every single detail will allow them free reign over your wallet. I'm sceptical, but even if its true, I certainly don't want some company(ies) with such manipulative aims knowing me so well that they know all the weak spots to hit so I spend more.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
and there's no profit for the marketers unless they tie that profile back to some wallet in meatspace.
You don't need to tie a profile to a wallet before pitching your product. If a visitor is there and that visitor tends to be a competitive gadget buyer, you pitch him your newest gadgets and give him a better price than you might normally. You don't need to know his name or address, only that he buys things that you sell.
*shrug* .. Of course, I'm not saying that tying that profile to a person in "meatspace" isn't still valuable, just not for the reasons most people think. You can get a good visitor profile on someone and achieve 95%+ of your marketing goals without needing to keep track of the visitor's identifying information. (IMO)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]