Like most ice cream/frozen yogurt shops, we have a loyalty card where 10 purchases gets you a free yogurt. Starting next month, we are getting rid of these cards and replacing them with a smart phone app. Since so many customers forget to bring their cards with them, or waste a lot of time rummaging around their bags/wallets at the counter looking for them, this seems like a better way to keep track of loyalty points.
Most people are excited about the new app, except for some older folks. Like this lady who came in today:
Older Lady: Well, can you still get loyalty points if you don't use the app?
Me: Don't worry, we have other ways for you to keep track of them if you don't have a smart phone.
Older Lady (annoyed): Oh, I have an iPhone, I just don't want anyone gathering information on me. That's what they do, you know. They use those things to collect data on everyone. I'm not going to allow it.
She then left in a huff, leaving the air thick with moral outrage. As I stood and watched her go, I couldn't help but think about how futile her protest was. Privacy has become a casualty of the Information Age; if she doesn't want corporations collecting her information, she has to give up her iPhone, credit cards, club cards, and internet. Somehow, I just don't see that happening.
Most people are excited about the new app, except for some older folks. Like this lady who came in today:
Older Lady: Well, can you still get loyalty points if you don't use the app?
Me: Don't worry, we have other ways for you to keep track of them if you don't have a smart phone.
Older Lady (annoyed): Oh, I have an iPhone, I just don't want anyone gathering information on me. That's what they do, you know. They use those things to collect data on everyone. I'm not going to allow it.
She then left in a huff, leaving the air thick with moral outrage. As I stood and watched her go, I couldn't help but think about how futile her protest was. Privacy has become a casualty of the Information Age; if she doesn't want corporations collecting her information, she has to give up her iPhone, credit cards, club cards, and internet. Somehow, I just don't see that happening.
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