Did you enjoy your Black Friday shopping? I bet you do. Anyway, did you know that (some) Malls are watching your shopping habit? In my humble opinion this is an invasion of privacy, because they did not inform the shoppers about this tracking mechanism when they enter the mall. Recently CNN reported that malls track shoppers during Black Friday, a service called FootPath Technology installed a discreet devices at the Short Pump Town Center in Richmond, Virginia and Promenade Temecula in southern California from Black Friday through New Year.
"How does it work? The company installs discreet receivers attached to walls at the location to be tracked, and these devices then track anyone in the vicinity with a switched-on cell phone. The person-specific tracking allows the system to determine which stores get the most traffic, and which areas within the stores attract the largest crowds. The system also collects weather and site event information to help illustrate possible impacts on foot traffic and sales." (2011, PCMag.com)
It seems mobile tracking is in. I have these enabled with my iPhone using "Find My IPhone" apps but I have full control of monitoring my tracks and other iDevices within my possession.
If you want to opt-out, you need to turn-off your mobile phone when you enter the mall. I think this is not a good option to opt-out as we continue to use our mobile/smart phones almost everywhere. Other alternative, simply not go to that specific malls :).
If you want to know more about this news, continue reading PCMag.com website, here's the link.
Have a good day, and safe (enjoy) shopping.
"How does it work? The company installs discreet receivers attached to walls at the location to be tracked, and these devices then track anyone in the vicinity with a switched-on cell phone. The person-specific tracking allows the system to determine which stores get the most traffic, and which areas within the stores attract the largest crowds. The system also collects weather and site event information to help illustrate possible impacts on foot traffic and sales." (2011, PCMag.com)
It seems mobile tracking is in. I have these enabled with my iPhone using "Find My IPhone" apps but I have full control of monitoring my tracks and other iDevices within my possession.
If you want to opt-out, you need to turn-off your mobile phone when you enter the mall. I think this is not a good option to opt-out as we continue to use our mobile/smart phones almost everywhere. Other alternative, simply not go to that specific malls :).
If you want to know more about this news, continue reading PCMag.com website, here's the link.
Have a good day, and safe (enjoy) shopping.
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