How much does information actually cost?
This question can be analyzed from various viewpoints. But I want to focus on those information that are freely given. Those that are personal but can be acquired through underhanded ways.
The other day, I was doing my regular banking transactions when the teller gave me a flyer on their friend-referral-program promo. It required me to give out contact details of THREE persons to entitle me to a 32" LCD TV (first place), Sony Vaio laptop (second place), or a Sony Ericsson phone (third place). They had to be non-clients of the bank who might be interested in opening their own accounts. Incomplete details would invalidate such raffle coupon - so I had to give the email address, mobile number, office number or home number of EACH person.
Ingenious, I thought. The financial institution seeking to expand its reach of collections, would now be able to build on its database "banking" on people's desire to win freebies. And since most people wouldn't think twice about this seemingly "harmless" promotion, they'd gladly give out the information.
We've all heard/witnessed this practice in other companies also. I have nothing against giving out your OWN information since it's yours to give. However, it's completely different if it's the phone number of another. Sometimes we focus on the perks too much, we forget that we're risking our own security, our friends' security or even encroaching upon their privacy. Sometimes, too, there are no obvious perks, but the helpful Filipinos we are, we volunteer the information.
And yes, I stopped myself from giving out details of my friends. Just for TV? No way :D But if it's a car, or an all-expense paid trip somewhere, then I just might consider it.. (To my friends who are reading this: I'm kidding, of course!)
Entry No. 12
Rachelle Mayuga
This question can be analyzed from various viewpoints. But I want to focus on those information that are freely given. Those that are personal but can be acquired through underhanded ways.
The other day, I was doing my regular banking transactions when the teller gave me a flyer on their friend-referral-program promo. It required me to give out contact details of THREE persons to entitle me to a 32" LCD TV (first place), Sony Vaio laptop (second place), or a Sony Ericsson phone (third place). They had to be non-clients of the bank who might be interested in opening their own accounts. Incomplete details would invalidate such raffle coupon - so I had to give the email address, mobile number, office number or home number of EACH person.
Ingenious, I thought. The financial institution seeking to expand its reach of collections, would now be able to build on its database "banking" on people's desire to win freebies. And since most people wouldn't think twice about this seemingly "harmless" promotion, they'd gladly give out the information.
We've all heard/witnessed this practice in other companies also. I have nothing against giving out your OWN information since it's yours to give. However, it's completely different if it's the phone number of another. Sometimes we focus on the perks too much, we forget that we're risking our own security, our friends' security or even encroaching upon their privacy. Sometimes, too, there are no obvious perks, but the helpful Filipinos we are, we volunteer the information.
And yes, I stopped myself from giving out details of my friends. Just for TV? No way :D But if it's a car, or an all-expense paid trip somewhere, then I just might consider it.. (To my friends who are reading this: I'm kidding, of course!)
Entry No. 12
Rachelle Mayuga
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