Continued growth of web-ads provokes tech biz reaction

I like free stuff.

We all do… and that’s just what ad-ware delivers. However, this has been going on before the internet (Ahem… just why did you think those old product registration cards wanted to know if you played golf and made more than 50K?).

The internet has made the trading of data in exchange for services incredibly easy to monetize. The internet big-boys are banking on consumers continuing to prefer freebies over privacy; at least if growth in ad spending and Microsoft’s hungry bid for a Yahoo takeover is any indication.

The “data aggregator technology” that consumers seem to enjoy most is webmail. The most direct admission of what’s going on that I could find came straight from Gmail’s “About Privacy” page : “All major free webmail services carry advertising… All email services scan your email.” They then go on to explain how you can trust them and how you’re really going to enjoy enhanced advertising that helps you find what you need… but, just a reminder, if you don’t like it, according to Gmail you have no choice. They seem to have a vested interest in making people feel

like there’s no alternatives, even while buying out secure email company, Postini, just last year.

“All major free webmail services carry advertising… All email services scan your email.”

“But that not true! I DO value my privacy!”

All the tech-savvy types seems to be betting on an inevitable public backlash, but if Wired Magazine is to be believed, “People prefer money

over data, always.” If their sited study is to be believed, folks won’t even pay 25 cents to keep companies from knowing about their sexual

habits!

On a personal note, I just want to know… who the heck are these people? I’m paying $7 per month for ID theft insurance and I subscribe to private SSL encrypted email. The readers of this blog probably take both personal security measures as well as having data compliance procedures if they are in business. We may know more than the average internet user, but is the outlook for consumer privacy really that bleak?

There is a solid niche in data privacy protection.

Yes, getting consumers (and business, for that matter) to protect themselves has been slow going, but it’s a solid, increasing trend. I think the current economic negativity actually helps internet security providers in the same way that worried folks like to buy insurance. Perhaps another way of looking at it is that the current oversupply of privacy and security services available to business and consumers accurately anticipates the real coming trend.

I don’t think we’re fooling ourselves here, folks. From the Government invasion of Corporate privacy, to the Google invasion of Corporate privacy, to the rapidly multiplying state, federal and international compliance laws, the market for business privacy products is assured. Consumers have been presented with similar political and economic dangers, plus the additional threat of ID theft, and they will follow suit as it becomes more imperative to there wallets and lives. Maybe they don’t learn fast, but they will learn.

Explore posts in the same categories: secure email, targeted advertising