Well, I'm 21, and I don't see it as a violation of privacy because they're choosing to publish the data (their purchasing habits) simply by making the purchases. I think it'd be naive to assume otherwise. Similarly, Google and Facebook track you to show you more relevant ads, and thus increase conversions.
That's not to say I don't find things creepy, but if the data is obviously collectible, you should assume it's being collected.
I don't think the issue is with the fact that they are data-mining purchasing habits. I think it's the way they acted on it without any subtlety.
> they're choosing to publish the data (their purchasing habits)
> simply by making the purchases
I would not call it 'publishing.' In this case, the girl's purchasing habits were really only between her and Target. Target then inadvertently disclosed them to her father.
> Similarly, Google and Facebook track you to show
> you more relevant ads, and thus increase conversions.
Google/Facebook would be wise not to fill your browser with ads about herpes medication just because they think that you have herpes... Just sayin'.
> if the data is obviously collectible, you
> should assume it's being collected.
This isn't free license to say that data collecting is good or bad though. If you walk through the 'bad part of town' wearing expensive jewelry, you'll probably be robbed. That doesn't make robbery acceptable.
The second half of TFA is about how they realized they creeped people out and what steps they took to remedy that - namely to "hide" the targeted coupons among irrelevant ones to make them look random.
I don't see how buying something is "publishing data". I'm sure most people realize that their purchasing habits are being "collected", but I don't think people expect that that information is going to be casually leaked to people around you like this was.
It seems to me that this is somewhat analogous to Facebook posting on my wall, "Hey, jgw, would you be interested in buying some of this special topical cream that is remarkably effective on certain types of rashes? Nudge, nudge."
Or Google sending me targeted advertising for anatomical adjustments by email - and casually CC a few of my friends in my address book.
>I'm sure most people realize that their purchasing habits are being "collected", but I don't think people expect that that information is going to be casually leaked to people around you like this was.
That's a good point, and while I don't think that was Target's intention, the potential is certainly notable.
That's not to say I don't find things creepy, but if the data is obviously collectible, you should assume it's being collected.