Should companies be required to obtain customers' permission before selling personal information?

Question

Basically i want to know more on the Business side of this issue because it is pretty clear that most consumers would not want their information to be given out unless they were asked.

Pro - Business
What about terms on the contract?
Rebates?

Con - Consumers
Don't want anyone to have my information...

Answer 1

Business is business. Whatever can be done to make a buck, will be done. If that means buying a list of potential consumers from another company, then that's what has to be done. Attorneys will look on the public records and see who has recently been released and mail them a solicitation for legal services. Offering services to someone who is in need is not so bad really. Its really no harm no foul. Yet, if a potential consumer does request that a company NOT release their personal information then that is the consumers RIGHT, not the company's right.

Define terms on the contract. Which terms? In most cases there are several terms and conditions in any given contract. As to rebates, the section of the contract, usually titled "Rebates", most have all the terms and conditions met in order to receive a rebate.

Good Luck and Take Care

Answer 2

Yes, they should have permission.

In many cases they are required to obtain it to begin with and actually have.

You might want to read the Privacy Act laws and how they have been made a part of the law.

Answer 3

I believe they should. However, they get around this by providing "opt out" sections that are the consumer's responsibility to fill out if they don't want the info sold or shared.