The purpose of this assignment is to examine the interplay of business ethics, consumer privacy, and the collection and use by businesses of customer information in a digital marketplace.
Businesses’ increased focus on knowing the consumer has resulted in the collecting and exchanging of massive volumes of customer data. While some customers like the improved convenience and personalization of marketing that these tactics bring, many are worried about how these practices damage their privacy. There are currently no federal laws prohibiting the collection, sharing, or sale of customer information, including but not limited to name, address, telephone/cellphone number, birth date, age, email address, transaction history, purchase history, online search history, location history, and other information that is not protected by privacy laws.
Review the prompt below and address the associated questions in 750-1,000 words.
Businesses are putting more emphasis on comprehending the consumer, which has resulted in the gathering and exchange of enormous volumes of customer data. While many consumers are concerned about how these activities may harm their privacy, some customers like the convenience and customization that these strategies offer. There are presently no federal regulations that prohibit the gathering, sharing, or sale of consumer information, including but not limited to name, address, phone number, email address, birthday, age, and other information that is not covered by data protection legislation. This information is often shared or sold. Much information that was formerly considered private is now readily accessible by anyone with access to the internet. Some additional issues related to sharing and selling such information include identity theft, robot marketing, tracking, and cyberstalking.
Choose one ethical issue involving the gathering of consumer data and one ethical issue involving the sharing or sale of that data. What is the proper way for a company to manage a customer’s information ethically?
Discuss whether it should be possible for customers to supply personal information while making a purchase.
Technology of all kinds is used constantly in business. Talk about the possible ethical advantages and disadvantages of using technology in a company when it comes to consumer information. Consider the advantage of, for instance, sending discounts or sales alerts based on the sort of food a customer purchases since the client’s food purchases are recorded. In addition, think about the potential danger of businesses or the government knowing what kind of food a person purchases because the business or government is tracking food purchases, then denying or limiting access to health care or health insurance based on the purchase of foods that are considered unhealthy.
From a Christian worldview, discuss the ethical dilemmas regarding businesses’ exploitation of customers’ personal information for financial gain.