Amazon seems to have pioneered the use of social feedback to drive product sales. When you personally look for a product to purchase on Amazon, do you look at the user ratings? Have you ever gone further and read specific positive and negative reviews to determine if it is the product you want to purchase?
One of the key principles behind the concept of social computing is the collection of data about customers. These data include many different types of information, such as which products the individual viewed, how many times, what else they viewed in relation to the first product, and so on.
Following this concept, consider a recent purchase you have made online (if you have never made a purchase online, then you are definitely unique!). Which data do you think was collected about you and your purchase? How do you think the business can use that information? Do you think that customer data like this is a commodity that can be sold? What concerns does this raise?
Amazon seems to have pioneered the use of social feedback to drive product sales
Full Answer Section
I think that user ratings and reviews are one of the best things about Amazon. They allow me to get feedback from real people who have actually used the product, which is much more valuable than the marketing copy that the company provides.
What data do you think is collected about you and your purchase when you shop on Amazon?
Amazon collects a lot of data about me and my purchases. This includes information such as my name, address, email address, credit card number, the products I view, the products I purchase, and the reviews I write.
Amazon also collects data about my browsing behavior. This includes information such as the pages I visit, the products I search for, and the links I click on.
How do you think Amazon can use this information?
Amazon can use this information to improve its products and services. For example, it can use my browsing behavior to recommend products that I might be interested in. It can also use my review data to improve the products that it sells.
Amazon can also use this information to target me with advertising. For example, if I have purchased a product in the past, Amazon might show me ads for similar products.
Do you think that customer data like this is a commodity that can be sold?
Yes, I think that customer data like this is a commodity that can be sold. Amazon has already been accused of selling customer data to third parties.
What concerns does this raise?
I am concerned about the privacy implications of Amazon selling customer data. I don't want my personal information to be sold to third parties without my knowledge or consent.
I am also concerned about the potential for this data to be used for malicious purposes. For example, if my data is sold to a company that engages in identity theft, I could be at risk of having my identity stolen.
Overall, I think that Amazon's use of social feedback is a good thing. It allows me to get valuable insights from other customers before I make a purchase. However, I am concerned about the privacy implications of Amazon collecting and selling customer data.
Here are some additional thoughts on the topic:
- I think that it is important for consumers to be aware of the data that is being collected about them when they shop online. They should also be aware of how this data can be used.
- I think that businesses should be transparent about how they collect and use customer data. They should also give consumers the option to opt out of data collection.
- I think that there needs to be more regulations governing the collection and use of customer data. These regulations should protect consumers' privacy and ensure that their data is used in a responsible way.