Here's something interesting about data-mining that fits the conspiracy theme of this thread:
You know how most of us (in the U.S at least since) have discount cards for the supermarket? Each card holds a record of the purchases you make meaning an insurance company can view the records and determine if you are a health risk from what foods you consume. If you buy lots of beef and cheese then your insurance rates could go up.
Originally posted by TurtlestackPlease tell us you are making this up!? 😳
Here's something interesting about data-mining that fits the conspiracy theme of this thread:
You know how most of us (in the U.S at least since) have discount cards for the supermarket? Each card holds a record of the purchases you make meaning an insurance company can view the records and determine if you are a health risk from what foods you consume. If you buy lots of beef and cheese then your insurance rates could go up.
Originally posted by arrakisThe super market is trying to compete with Wal-Mart's operating costs but still has to take care of union employees who make upwards of $20/hr. To stay competitive they strike a deal with the insurance company for discount rates on health insurance and in return allow the insurance company to have access to their club-card database. Do you remember signing a privacy statement when you signed up for the club-card at your supermarket? I don't.
Please tell us you are making this up!? 😳
Originally posted by TurtlestackMany people like me get their insurance through their job, and everyone pays the same rate. My rates aren't going up because of a fondness for microwave popcorn.
The super market is trying to compete with Wal-Mart's operating costs but still has to take care of union employees who make upwards of $20/hr. To stay competitive they strike a deal with the insurance company for discount rates on health insurance and in return allow the insurance company to have access to their club-card database. Do you remember signing a privacy statement when you signed up for the club-card at your supermarket? I don't.
Originally posted by reader1107I don't work in the insurance or super market industries so I can't speak from first hand experience here but data mining goes on all the time without most people ever knowing how it affects their lives.
Many people like me get their insurance through their job, and everyone pays the same rate. My rates aren't going up because of a fondness for microwave popcorn.
Originally posted by TurtlestackThis I agree with. I don't like using the cards except that if I don't, I can't write a check. My only other option for buying groceries is WalMart. I do think the cards are creepy.
I don't work in the insurance or super market industries so I can't speak from first hand experience here but data mining goes on all the time without most people ever knowing how it affects their lives.
Originally posted by reader1107They are crepy. Why do the super markets need them anyway? They could easily offer the discount prices without the card. They have to be tracking something and all that information is being stored in a database - question is what do they do with that data and can they profit from that data?
This I agree with. I don't like using the cards except that if I don't, I can't write a check. My only other option for buying groceries is WalMart. I do think the cards are creepy.
Originally posted by arrakisI don't know if this is actually happening, but this is the point I was trying to make previously. RFID won't change anything - the data is already stored and it might even be accessible.
Please tell us you are making this up!? 😳
All that needs to be done is data mining on consolidated data sources and 'someone' could find out all your movements and consumer habits.
RFID will make our lives easier, but won't create too many new privacy issues... These already exist.
Originally posted by CrowleyBig Brother has been watching us for a LONG time. *shiver*
I don't know if this is actually happening, but this is the point I was trying to make previously. RFID won't change anything - the data is already stored and it might even be accessible.
All that needs to be done is data mining on consolidated data sources and 'someone' could find out all your movements and consumer habits.
RFID will make our lives easier, but won't create too many new privacy issues... These already exist.
I bought some gas at the Speedway gas station yesterday and picked up some drinking water. The girl asked me for my 'Speedway card'. It's a card that gives you 'bonus points' for your purchases... after you spend hundreds of dollars at their place of business you might earn enough bonus points to get a free gallon of water! 😕
But seriously, they track everything you buy, what price you pay, and the time and day of your purchase. This all goes into a huge database about you. Guess what they do with this information? They sell it! Yeah, they sell their database on you to insurance companies, marketing specialists and who knows what else.
I was once told by a friend who worked at a local bank, that when considering a loan for a customer the committee would look at the records for his ATM card withdrawals. Ah! He withdrew $200 on a Saturday at 2:00 am in the morning! Why would he do that!? Maybe he's buying drugs!? Maybe this person is a bad risk!?
I'm thinking it'll go down like this
There will be some implant to put into dogs and other pets so that you can find them if they get lost...
Then after people get used to them and they seem safe, they will come up with chips to put into children so that the mean pedophiles that according to the news seemingly lurk in every playground can't abduct children....
Then these kids will grow up with them and no harm done, right? So why not make them mandatory for everybody, there's no reason not to right?
And then we will all be chipped and easily trackable and then BAM skynet launches the missles and the robots come for us