Data Gathering Is a Two-Way Street

Today’s technology is becoming better and better at an exponential clip. It was only a few decades ago that we had cellphones the size of bricks and Internet the speed of which is only a fraction of a single percent of today’s connections. Now we carry powerful computers in our pockets as well as wear them for watches, and we can download entire libraries in less than a couple of moments.

But with all benefits there are prices to pay for such convenience. One of them is how the companies behind such conveniences use them to collect data from their customers – how they use the service, when and where and who and why. The fact is, these companies never reveal the fact that they do so readily – more often than not, it is discovered by someone who bothers to look, and whenever they do there’s always a furor surrounding it, to the point of a scandal.

Is data gathering really something to be upset about? Every company does it. Amazon, for example, takes note of what you buy or prefer or look for, and brings up suggestions for you every time you log in so that you save time and energy. Even coffeeshops take note of what regulars order, and cheerfully suggest someone’s ‘usual’ whenever they walk in. If the information they gather helps improve their services instead of some other clandestine and probably illegal purpose, then can data gathering really hurt?

To be honest, I don’t think so – so long as the right conditions are met. Watch my video as I tackle this sensitive issue.

Post from: Trendlabs Security Intelligence Blog – by Trend Micro

Data Gathering Is a Two-Way Street