Example 1 Reading The Chapter On Privacy And How Customers I

Example 1reading The Chapter On Privacy And How Customers Information

Reading the chapter on privacy and how customers information are used, open my mind to how we (customers) have no privacy at all. I viewed numerous businesses privacy policies and they all seem to follow the same paths on the usages of customer’s information. I looked at Harley-Davidson Inc. and the privacy policies; I found the format similar to Apple Computer, Inc. Harley-Davidson Inc. This beloved motorcycle company, shares your information in the same realm as most of the companies today, in our computer induced era.

Harley-Davidson Inc. collects and stores your personal information; information may include your name, email address, postal address, phone number, credit card number, gender, birthday, or personal interests. Harley-Davidson maintains a record of your product interests and the purchases customers make online, on the phone, or in the stores. Information collected may be combined with information they acquire from joint marketing partners or other unrelated third parties. The data is utilized for many purposes; this is how the company uses customer’s data:

• To personalize and enhance your experiences when you interact with Harley-Davidson
• To enable Harley-Davidson to provide you with the highest quality experiences, products, services and motorcycles
• To process and fulfill your orders, which includes sending you emails to confirm your order status and shipment
• To communicate with you and send you information by email, postal mail, telephone (including autodialed or pre-recorded call), text message, or other means about our products, services, contests, and promotions, unless you have directed us not to contact you with promotional communications
• To administer contests and promotions, and to respond to your requests
• To help us learn more about your motorcycle and retail preferences
• To help us manage and improve our websites, events, experiences, products and services
• To update you on membership programs, benefits and services, and to enhance your membership experience
• To enhance your ownership experience
• To contact you if necessary, including by autodialed or pre-recorded call

The circumstances in which Harley-Davidson provides customer’s information to third parties are; the company may share personal information within Harley-Davidson throughout the world to assist the company in providing personalized experiences, as well as offering products or services that may interest customers and to process online orders and other requests.

Harley-Davidson also shares information with their independent dealers and Harley-Davidson Financial Services throughout the world. Harley shares customer’s information with non-affiliated companies that provide services to customers on their behalf. Harley states they “take steps to ensure that these companies are contractually obligated to keep the personal information that we provide to them confidential and to use such information only as we permit.†The company also says that they may share customer’s information with non-affiliated companies that market Harley-Davidson branded products and services, or in connection with the companies’ financial obligations concerning a Harley-Davidson product or service.

These companies have their own privacy practices and notices on how they store your information, which to me is an alarming concern. There are also moments where Harley has to disclose your personal information, which I understand; In order to cooperate with law enforcement, Harley states they have to disclose your information “to establish or exercise our legal rights or defend against any legal claims, or when we believe it is necessary to investigate, prevent, or respond to suspected illegal activities, fraud, or to protect the safety, rights, or property of you, us, or a third party.†The potential privacy issues that may arise for customers of Harley-Davidson is the misuse of the information collected, and due to the fact the company shares information with non-affiliated companies and claims they take steps to ensure that those companies follow the contractual obligations, to me is an issue.

Harley has and relies on the loyalty of its customers, and I am sure they are loyal to their customers as well; but how can they insure me that non-affiliated companies are not improperly using the information. If your information was improperly used, how would you know which company was the culprit; when your identity is stolen, there are no traces that take you back to the exact point at which your information was retrieved. Basically we are in a world now where anything can happen, and you now have to just hope your information is not misused. Example 2 Victoria’s secret I have read the privacy policy of Victoria’s secret, I have found that the store will collect name, address, telephone number, mobile phone number, email address, personal preferences, credit card number, purchase and ordering information, demographical information, responses to survey questions and sizing information.

The data is utilized to subscribe to catalogs, email offers, and mobile messaging offers; participate in surveys; join Victoria's Secret Pink Nation; enter contests or sweepstakes; interact with special-event or program offers; collect the information about the gift recipient’s contact to process gift order. For this reason, the company will provide the customer service, enable to post the content, facilitate networks of online social activity centered around the products and services and improve the website, manner, purchase decision and interactions of the visitor that have visit the website. The circumstances that the company provides to third parties are : · The Sister brands : the company may share the information such as postal and email address, customer preferences and purchase history within their corporate family. · Contractors : Victoria’s secret uses third-party “back-office†contractor to help handle parts of their business because of expertise, resources, or scale. They help Victoria’s secret company does things like fulfill orders, process payments, provide some customer service through chat features, monitor site activity, serve surveys and provide analysis from the surveys when combined with website use, maintain databases, administer and monitor emails, administer and send mobile messages, serve ads on this and other Web sites as described above and provide consulting services. · Other Marketers : The company may share name, postal address, and summary purchase information with other merchants and merchant exchanges. Other merchants may, in turn, use this information to send customers’ offers on their products and services. If customers don't want this information shared with these merchants and exchanges, there is an option for them to choose as well.

The potential privacy issues may arise for customers of this business could be Cookies, Clear Gifs and Online Network Advertising. I have noticed when I entered to some websites and there were a lot of online network advertising which could be the pop-up one. At first, I did not know that it may attach a virus/trojan on that site. After that I found out that the pop-up site that I clicked has ruined my computer and some of my files have been lost also. In another case, internet browser would keep the cookies that are placed on the computer when you first visit the website; thus, it will keep the data that you have filled on that site and that makes the gap for the hacker that can access the personal information from the site such as name, credit card number, date of birth and etc., Source :

Paper For Above instruction

The digital age has fundamentally transformed how businesses collect, store, and utilize customer data, raising significant privacy concerns among consumers. As exemplified by major companies like Harley-Davidson and Victoria’s Secret, data collection is extensive and often shared across various entities, sometimes without clear oversight or sufficient privacy safeguards. These practices highlight the tension between business interests in targeted marketing and the imperative to protect consumer privacy.

Harley-Davidson’s privacy policy reveals a comprehensive approach to collecting personal data, including names, contact information, demographic details, purchase history, and product interests. This data serves multiple purposes, such as personalizing customer experiences, processing orders, marketing communications, and enhancing loyalty programs. Harley-Davidson shares this information both within its global network—such as with dealerships and financial services—and with third-party contractors to facilitate various business functions. Despite contractual commitments to confidentiality, the involvement of multiple external entities introduces potential vulnerabilities. The possibility of data mishandling, improper use, or breaches raises concern, especially as consumers lack visibility into the activities of these third parties. When personal data is shared with non-affiliated companies, the risk of misuse or identity theft increases, underscoring the need for robust data governance and transparent privacy practices.

Similarly, Victoria’s Secret’s privacy policy indicates extensive data collection, including personal identifiers, purchase preferences, and responses to surveys. The company shares this information within its corporate family, with third-party contractors managing order fulfillment, payment processing, customer service, and marketing activities. Victoria’s Secret also provides customer data to other merchants and marketers, broadening the scope of data exposure. The use of technologies like cookies, clear gifs, and online advertising further complicates privacy protections. These methods can inadvertently compromise personal data or introduce malware, as noted by personal experiences of data loss and security breaches. Such risks emphasize the importance of consumer awareness and the implementation of strict security measures to safeguard personal information in online environments.

These examples illustrate that both companies prioritize operational efficiency and marketing effectiveness, often at the expense of transparency and consumer privacy. The sharing of data with multiple third parties, combined with insufficient regulation or oversight, creates significant privacy vulnerabilities. Consumers entrust their personal information, yet they are seldom fully aware of how it is used or the entities involved. The potential for misuse, data breaches, or identity theft underscores the necessity for stronger data protection laws and corporate accountability. As technology advances, continuous efforts are required to balance the benefits of data-driven marketing with the fundamental right to privacy, ensuring that consumers are protected in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape.

References

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