To Aim Ads, Web Is Keeping Closer Eye on You

After I read this article, I recalled a story of a successful hotel manger which happened in Taiwan. A journalist interviewed him and asked him what his key to be such successful is. He said that he would get to know every regular customer and take a note including their name, favor food, key points of conversation and so on. Next time when he met someone who came to his hotel before, he would say hello with customers’ name and do the arrangement based on their habit and favor. His attitude makes his customers feel to be more respected. In short, he collected information of his customers through having conversation and observing their habit, and then gave them what they wanted.

In this article, the Web companies collect visitors’ data when they search information on internet and then classify information into several categories. Next, Web companies could sell advertisement for higher price based on their valuable database. The argument in this article is whether Web companies should not acquire visitors’ information without notice them. When I first time read this article, I agree with that Web companies should not acquire or use their visitors’ information without asking them first, but I have second thought after I recall the story above. In both examples, either one did not acquire permission from their customers to use or keep their information. If I approve the first one, how could I doubt the second one? What is the difference between those two examples?

Reference: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/technology/10privacy.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=business