From charitable giving to medical records to Internet tracking, consumers are more anxious than ever about
A. secondary data retrieval systems.
B. exploitation by foreign marketers.
C. their ability to get credit cards.
D. preserving their right to privacy.
E. the unstructured nature of market research.
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer: D. Preserving their right to privacy.
Explanation:
In today’s digital world, consumers are increasingly concerned about how their personal information is collected, stored, and used. This anxiety stems from various areas, including charitable giving, medical records, and Internet tracking. The key issue in all these cases is privacy—individuals want to have control over their personal data and how it is shared.
- Charitable Giving: Many consumers worry about their donation history being shared with other organizations without their consent, leading to unsolicited requests for more donations. They want assurance that their generosity does not result in breaches of privacy.
- Medical Records: Health data is extremely sensitive, and unauthorized access or sharing of medical records can lead to discrimination, identity theft, or even blackmail. With increasing digitalization of medical records, there is a growing demand for stringent privacy protections under laws like HIPAA in the U.S.
- Internet Tracking: Websites and apps track user behavior to serve targeted ads or personalize content. While some users appreciate tailored experiences, many feel uncomfortable with how much of their online activity is being monitored and sold to third parties without clear consent.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
- A. Secondary data retrieval systems: While data retrieval systems are relevant to consumer data concerns, the broader issue is privacy rather than just secondary data use.
- B. Exploitation by foreign marketers: While this is a concern, the primary issue consumers worry about is privacy, regardless of whether data is used domestically or internationally.
- C. Their ability to get credit cards: This relates to financial security, not privacy.
- E. The unstructured nature of market research: This refers to how research is conducted but is not a primary consumer concern.
Thus, the growing concern among consumers is about preserving their right to privacy in an increasingly digital and data-driven world.