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For Sale: Your Name & Mailing Address |
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The Washington Post ran a feature yesterday discussing the fact that Web Firms are choosing profit over privacy.
According to the article, Hooked on Phonics used to have a firm non-disclosure policy regarding its patrons' personal information. While the policy existed, Hooked on Phonics' parent company was advertising its customer list for rent at $95 per 1,000 names. The posted policy has since changed to reflect the company's intent to occasionally disclose personal information.
Regarding arguments from marketers who claim the right to email customers with whom they have continuing relationships, the legislative counsel for Consumers Union comments, "'some companies, like psycho ex-boyfriends, tend to see relationships where they don't exist.'"
Non-privacy-friendly and spam-friendly policies exist in several other companies described in the article. Citigroup Inc., for example, apparently requires customers of any of its hundreds of affiliates to contact each affiliate separately to opt-out of receiving marketing messages.
Bluefly Inc.'s privacy policy states that by sending Bluefly any email, users consent to receive messages from the company. To opt-out of receiving future messages, however, users must email the company. By the letter of the policy's word, opting-out might look something like this:
To: Bluefly
From: User
Re: Remove me
I do not wish to receive future marketing emails from Bluefly.
. . .
To: User
From: Bluefly
Re: Re: Remove me
Thank you for contacting Bluefly.
By emailing us you have consented to receive future marketing messages from us. If you do not wish to receive such messages . . .
A Bluefly spokesperson did tell the Post that marketing messages would not be sent to people who so requested via e-mail.
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