Are our data still safe? Anyone searching or shopping on Google for something about Google probably knows that Google analyzes this data for advertising purposes and resells it to companies. Now, however, Google goes one step further and buys transaction data from Mastercard to find out at which stores customers spend how much and when. So now the data from the "offline world", if you like to call it that, is no longer safe from Google.
A scandal? While most users are aware that one should not divulge too much data in the online world, one was sure that one could deal with data more openly in the offline world. Because on the streets you meet, you should dispense with certain techniques such as the smartphone, for example, rarely on companies that collect data and resell them. Of course, every store analyzes how many people shop there, how much their profits are, etc., but that data is so far anonymous.
Neither Google nor Mastercard informed the customers.The major scandal will probably only this way: Neither Mastercard as a distributor of debit and credit cards nor Google as a buyer of the transaction data informed the parties concerned about the exchange of companies. Everything happened without the knowledge of the cardholder. The negotiations between Mastercard and Google are supposed to run for more than four years.
By insiders it came to light. Only four anonymous sources who were well acquainted with this matter - among others, three of the four sources were said to have contributed to the deal - were exposed to this scandal.
Silence of both companies.Inquiries and news regarding the exchange are tacitly ignored by both companies. Neither Google nor Mastercard comment on the allegations. However, the second allegation that Google wanted to share advertising revenue with Mastercard, denied the company.
Google wants to combine offline shopping with online behavior.Of course, if millions of dollars have already been paid, Google wants to secure its reputation and position in the advertising industry over the competition. The direct competitor Amazon is gaining more and more popularity with advertising companies and that of course, Google fits less. Accordingly, Google wanted to strengthen against Amazon and so went into the interests of some companies: Advertisers are increasingly interested in exploring not only the connection of online advertising to clicks on websites and online shopping, but also to offline buying behavior. Google wanted to pursue this wish accordingly and entered into the deal with Mastercard.
Google talked to Bloomberg.According to Bloomberg, Google responded to a request that customers could opt out of tracking via a "Web and App Activity" console. In addition, the tracking would be interesting only for customers who also have a Google account and you could connect so.
You are asked! Are you a Mastercard customer and did you know about this deal before this article? How do you like this deal?