‘They don’t mind their data being collected and scanned’: Google’s Colin Barnard
Google’s Colin Barnard has claimed customers don’t mind having their data collected as long as it’s used to make their online interactions more relevant.
Barnard at yesterday’s Mumbrella Finance Marketing Summit
Speaking at Mumbrella’s Finance Marketing Summit, Google Australia’s head of financial and business services told the audience customers are willing to trade their data for a seamless, fast, relevant experience.
“As people are scanning across the landscape they’re leaving breadcrumbs everywhere, data absolutely everywhere, and that doesn’t have to be creepy, because if you can use data by making it relevant to people, they don’t mind that,” he said.
Well I mind.
It’s in Google’s interest to claim this.
Since they’re in the business of data, I say to them: Show me the data to back up the claim.
I do mind. His claim that ‘consumers (me) don’t mind having their data collected if it’s used to make my online interactions more relevant’ is not proven by any… data! How cynical but true.
To support such a claim, users should have an option for A: do not collect my data, or B: collect my data and give me relevant online interactions (in whichever shape or form that may be). If a significant number of people opt for B, then Google could make such a claim; but right now we are only given option B.
Google only gives us the choice between: ‘use our services and give your data in return’, OR ‘do not get access to our services’ (which is, let’s face it, incredible difficult in modern life). Hence, Google’s presented ‘choice for data sharing’ is by indirect force, not by preference. The statement doesn’t sounds intuitively right and is not backed by any methodologically sound scientific research, either.
Otherwise, great presentation.