Lets explore a scenario we've all encountered online - the purchase.
Currently, one surfs to a site, chooses a product (or service), inputs all necessary information (credit card#, address, name etc) and sits back to await delivery.
In this scenario, the merchant collects an extrordinary amount of data on each of its customers (including surfing habits, product interests etc). After some time, they develop a VERY detailed view on you and your life. In turn, this information becomes a source of revenue for them - reselling your data. I've heard that Amazon.com resells their lists for about $1000 per user in some cases. If someone is reselling my information, I want something for it at least!
Ok, so what to do?
Well, let's disect the transaction first. What is the goal of a vendor? To sell a product (or service) and receive compensation (money). In the above example, Amazon.com wants to sell me a book for a specified price. Breaking down the transaction into simplest terms, Amazon transfers the book, I transfer money.
So in reality, for this transaction to complete, all that is needed is the exchange of money for the book. All the other information is in support of this, so lets see what we can do.
By leveraging a system where my personal information is stored in my own "digital directory", I can accomplish many aspects of this transaction without exposing personal information to Amazon.com.
Prior to any transaction, I "set up" information regarding a service (bank or credit company) to handle the transfer of money. I also "set up" information for delivery (perhaps I open an account with FedEx). All this information resides in my personal digital directory (discussion on its security is another post). Now let's look at the Amazon.com transaction again.
I surf to the site, find a book (my casual reading needs a boost - all these technical books! ugh!) and decide to make a purchase. I click through and make the purchase only the steps have changed.
My peronal digital directory then contacts my preferred delivery service (FedEx) and my credit card company (MasterCard) regarding the transaction. FedEx schedules the pick and delivery of the package and MasterCard schedules the transfer of money to Amazon.com.
So what information has Amazon.com gained from me? That FedEx is my shipping company, I have a MasterCard account (but they don't know the acct #) and I purchased a book on Italian cooking.
How much is this information worth to Amazon.com? I don't know but I will estimate it is MUCH less than the current amount of information they gather (and resell).
In addition, if Amazon.com's servers are ever compromised, the most someone could learn about me is that FedEx is my delivery service, I have a MasterCard account and I like Italian cooking. Beyond that I'm just a username on a list.
There are additional benefits to this idea. I only wanted to point out one aspect of doing "business" on the internet. Safeguarding this personal "directory" is another matter altogether :)
Regards,
Peter J Strifas |
