8 ms·
It is not benign, now or ever. It is the ultimate discrimination tool, targeted on our private actions and not on broad categories like "petit-bourgeoise". Yea
by pacala 15y ago
It is not benign, now or ever. It is the ultimate discrimination tool, targeted on our private actions and not on broad categories like "petit-bourgeoise".
Yeah, it's all fun and games if shops do it and they apply it to baby powder coupons. But the invasion of privacy and the private dossiers Target or Visa or Facebook are building on every one of us can be used in other contexts.
Is this person likely to engage in extreme sports? Hike his health insurance quota 5x because he is a "risk" to profits.
Does this job applicant fit a union sympathiser profile? Deny him the job, on the "pure" economic reason that he is a risk to our bottom line profits.
I'd much rather ensure that this kind of data collection and targeting is illegal across the board. I'm ready to sacrifice the coupon industry, thank you very much.
- etha 15y agoWhat is wrong with those scenarios? It sounds like you are proposing that instead of using this information, people should ignore it and make bad decisions.
- devs1010 15y agoThey shouldn't be allowed to use it. Who really wants to live in a 'fishbowl' world where every corporate entity and government organization can have full access to every minute detail of your life. It opens the door for rampant discrimination
- deleted 15y ago[deleted]
- yummyfajitas 15y agoIs this person likely to engage in extreme sports? Hike his health insurance quota 5x because he is a "risk" to profits. This person is likely to remain healthy for a long time, requiring little/no care for chronic ailments. Even in the event of an accident, it's likely to result in either death (free) or a serious injury (a moderately large one-time cost). The expensive person is the fattie who develops diabetes, blood clots, and all the other chronic ailments of a sedentary lifestyle. Those sorts of things are expensive.