Janice M Goehler-Johnson

This was interesting Janice. I understand where you come from that as a marketer, you need users’ data in order to create useful ads. But, at the same time, we all are skeptical on why apps are free, and we see it why because our data is more valuable than a couple of dollars. I also found it interesting how the terms and conditions page always was so long but so small for people to read. I guess those small words really do hold alot of power, especially our data and privacy. I wonder what’s going to happen in the future with how apps manage and use our data after all these privacy rules.

Janice, awesome post! As I did research on my own post, I started to realize more and more how important our personal data is and how companies are taking advantage of it. To address your question on what they’re doing with our location data and internet address, I believe companies are using that information to build profiles on us. What we like and collect our habits online so that they can market to us.

Great Post Janice. I liked the point you made about how it’s not right that third parties were able to access user info through Facebook. It amazes me that companies are able to collect all this data and users don’t really have an idea of who has it nor what info they store. I also wonder why Tic Tok needs consumer addresses. I don’t know how an address could help Tic Tok because they don’t send users tangible items. Maybe that’s something to come in the near future for them.

Janice you make a really great point when you stated that “most users of these apps do not even read all of the terms and conditions that apply, most are just eager to get started.” I can admit that I am sometimes guilty of clicking permissions without fully reading the terms and conditions of the website or application. I believe this may be because of how long and confusing the language is. This makes me think that it may be more beneficial for the terms and conditions to be changed to a more simplified and digestible version for users. This could mean writing shorter summaries, adding pictures for clarity and even video versions of the terms. This is all wishful thinking but I know that I would pay more attention if these changes were made. Great post!

You bring up a great point about splitting hairs between “giving out data” and “giving out access to data”. I am sure that is some kind of legal distention that keeps Facebook, and many other companies, out of courts. However, I do not see these big companies changing their practices until the economy of the situation changes. They make so much money off our data that they have no incentive to change. Until it becomes too costly for them, or a more lucrative option comes along, to sell our data we are kind of stuck.

I have seen these robots in Giant and I find them very freaky! I believe I had previously heard (in my local grocer) that their presence was (somehow) able to prevent theft/shoplifting. However, after reading your article, I realize how many different applications these robots could have. If robots are programmed with a store’s layout, they would very easily be able to shop virtually for people if requested. They might even do this better and more efficiently than someone from an app like Instacart – they wouldn’t waste time trying to figure out where products are. Pandemics like COVID-19 show us how important it is for people to be able to get their groceries without having to leave their homes. As the popularity in grocery delivery/pick-up services increases, these robots and accompanying AI technology could be a game changer in how quickly people get their order.

I’ve seen these in the Giant markets, and actually thought it was cool, and hope these robots expand more on the technically side of what they can do (customer shopping, instacart, etc.). Seeing them in person I thought these robots were sort of “big”, reminding me of when my father bought his first car phone, and if overtime will the look and technology of these robots get better, smaller, smarter and sleeker.

Thank you for point out what these things were, it’s only a matter of time until we have some ex machinas walking around. Katherine’s idea of an app is a great one. I often find myself wondering if we could’ve repurposed Google Glasses with voice assistant to enhance the shopping experience. I would love to be able to walk into an grocery store, strap on those glasses and it guide me down the most efficient path for my shopping rather than wandering the aisles.