Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Walmart's data hoarding. A danger to privacy?

Phage · 11-15-2004, 08:47 AM

"460 terabytes"
- Yes, that is a lot of data especially when you think of it as being pure text and not large programs or high quality media like in MrFlux's p2p example. However I don't see the privacy issue.

"Who designed the storage system?"
- Who cares? Most likely they hired skilled programmers and had a custom inventory and sales system designed and then operated by the same team.

"What does Walmart do with that data when not coming to the amazing realization that beer sales went up before hurricane Charlie?"
- Exactly that same sort of thing. Large companies with huge stores need to manage their inventory carefully in order to maximize profit. Specific statistical data over 50 years would allow them to chart demand for each type of product they sold and allow them to keep their number in stock at the optimal level.

"Do you think that Walmart collects too much data on it's shoppers, or that such data collection needs to be limited by privacy laws that make sure that their use of the data is in line with our beleifs as a larger society, or do you beleive that Walmart owns that data and could do with it what they wish?"
- Walmart has the right to record anything that happens in their store, and any information you decide to give them. Their use of this data is already limited by what is thought fair; you cannot use someone's picture or voice without their permission, and their personal data such as credit card information is obviously private. Beyond that, it is both absurd and exceedingly arrogant for anyone to feel that they can dictate what people are allowed to remember (and record).

"Do you think Walmart would rather destroy/scrub their database than allow the court to use it against them in determining backpay? Do you think it's existance makes it of fair use by the court against Walmart?"
- I would think that the relevant information would be the employee wage records which I believe any accountant would tell you are required to be retained by law. What is fair for the court to use is not really a point of opinion. In the article it is simply stated that the use of the software would be against what Walmart desired, without offering any reason. I believe that what Walmart wants is for there to be no discrimination proved, but if there is they would welcome their database providing a fair settlement figure rather than the women coming up with millions in inflated "suffering".

"I do think that if walmart made it, then it's availiable for supena whether Walmart likes that or not. I think that Walmart wants to have the database without restrictions but wants no governing body to know what it contains or use that data against them. I don't beleive they can ahve it both ways."
- Again, what is available for subpoena is already a matter of law so what you 'feel' does not really matter. In any case, I cannot see why the managers of Walmart would want to hide that information; what could they have that they should not? I don't understand why you would think that Walmart is "hoarding data" and also attempting to keep it secret from the government; they are merely recording data vital to the efficient operation of their company while requiring that the proper procedures be followed to obtain access to that data by outsiders (they would deny me if I asked to see their sales records and rightly so).

11-15-2004, 08:47 AM	#11 (permalink)
Phage Insane	"460 terabytes" - Yes, that is a lot of data especially when you think of it as being pure text and not large programs or high quality media like in MrFlux's p2p example. However I don't see the privacy issue. "Who designed the storage system?" - Who cares? Most likely they hired skilled programmers and had a custom inventory and sales system designed and then operated by the same team. "What does Walmart do with that data when not coming to the amazing realization that beer sales went up before hurricane Charlie?" - Exactly that same sort of thing. Large companies with huge stores need to manage their inventory carefully in order to maximize profit. Specific statistical data over 50 years would allow them to chart demand for each type of product they sold and allow them to keep their number in stock at the optimal level. "Do you think that Walmart collects too much data on it's shoppers, or that such data collection needs to be limited by privacy laws that make sure that their use of the data is in line with our beleifs as a larger society, or do you beleive that Walmart owns that data and could do with it what they wish?" - Walmart has the right to record anything that happens in their store, and any information you decide to give them. Their use of this data is already limited by what is thought fair; you cannot use someone's picture or voice without their permission, and their personal data such as credit card information is obviously private. Beyond that, it is both absurd and exceedingly arrogant for anyone to feel that they can dictate what people are allowed to remember (and record). "Do you think Walmart would rather destroy/scrub their database than allow the court to use it against them in determining backpay? Do you think it's existance makes it of fair use by the court against Walmart?" - I would think that the relevant information would be the employee wage records which I believe any accountant would tell you are required to be retained by law. What is fair for the court to use is not really a point of opinion. In the article it is simply stated that the use of the software would be against what Walmart desired, without offering any reason. I believe that what Walmart wants is for there to be no discrimination proved, but if there is they would welcome their database providing a fair settlement figure rather than the women coming up with millions in inflated "suffering". "I do think that if walmart made it, then it's availiable for supena whether Walmart likes that or not. I think that Walmart wants to have the database without restrictions but wants no governing body to know what it contains or use that data against them. I don't beleive they can ahve it both ways." - Again, what is available for subpoena is already a matter of law so what you 'feel' does not really matter. In any case, I cannot see why the managers of Walmart would want to hide that information; what could they have that they should not? I don't understand why you would think that Walmart is "hoarding data" and also attempting to keep it secret from the government; they are merely recording data vital to the efficient operation of their company while requiring that the proper procedures be followed to obtain access to that data by outsiders (they would deny me if I asked to see their sales records and rightly so).