Here's Some Companies That Did Not Want to Talk About What They Do With Your Personal Data

Forbes - In researching a book on the business of personal data, I have contacted many dozens of companies over the past year to learn what information they collect about us, what they do with it and whether or not they share or sell that data with others. The effort seeks to give consumers insights and, in turn, let them adjust what they share about themselves to their own level of comfort.

Many top executives graciously shared their time and insights, but some companies refused to discuss what they were up to over many requests. Such companies include well-known brands such as 7-Eleven and United Airlines, as well as data brokers and direct marketers whose names are less well known to the general public. Here’s some details on some of these companies.

7-Eleven, the convenience store which runs a loyalty program around its frozen Slurpee desserts, declined to answer questions about its collection of customer ZIP codes. If you are a member of what they call Slurpee Nation, here’s what their privacy policy says: they do not sell your information to third parties. Many others do sell data to outsiders, so I am still wondering why they are so reticent to talk.   More