When do consumers actually prefer the AI option (and why)?

AI agents are increasingly popular in customer interface. Sometimes they are the only option, others the default one before consumers are escalated to a human agent. One example of AI agents in customer interface that I mention frequently is AI-powered chatbots. Firms may use AI-powered agents to cut costs, because of their superior analytical capability or, even, … Continue reading When do consumers actually prefer the AI option (and why)?

New paper: The Pandemic-Induced Personal Data Explosion

Back in June 2020, I came across a special collection of papers about COVID-19, in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. Within that collection, the paper “Consumer Privacy During (and After) the COVID-19 Pandemic”, by Aaron R. Brough and Kelly D. Martin caught my attention. That paper reflected on the implications of the increased … Continue reading New paper: The Pandemic-Induced Personal Data Explosion

[Miscellany] Apple vs ad tracking industry, Online attention crisis, and eating out trends

I am getting the first part of my Covid-19 vaccine on Friday*. I heard that some people feel unwell a few hours later - so, I booked it for Friday morning, and cleared my diary for Friday afternoon and Saturday. I can't stop marvelling at how quickly scientists have come up with a vaccine for … Continue reading [Miscellany] Apple vs ad tracking industry, Online attention crisis, and eating out trends

The cultivation of digital resignation

I read two things recently that made me think about the New Media & Society paper by Draper and Turow, entitled ‘The corporate cultivation of digital resignation’. In this paper, published in 2019, Nora A Draper and JosephTurow look at the role of companies in sustaining or, at least, amplifying the phenomenon of digital resignation. … Continue reading The cultivation of digital resignation

Teens’ attitudes towards online privacy and online safety

There is the stereotype that “kids these days” share too much on social media, about themselves and about their actions, without much care or concern. And, then, there is also that other stereotype that “kids these days” are so obsessed with image that they carefully curate the images that they share, thoughtfully choose the … Continue reading Teens’ attitudes towards online privacy and online safety

Analysis of COVID-19 related tweets shows emphasis on self-centric, support seeking content among users that disclose personal information

“Self-disclosure” refers to the intentional disclosure of personal information, such as location, behaviour or feelings, to third-parties. We all do it, to an extent, because sharing little bits of personal information is a way of cementing social relationships, and increasing likability. For instance, throughout lockdown, my colleagues and I have been talking about hobbies, family, … Continue reading Analysis of COVID-19 related tweets shows emphasis on self-centric, support seeking content among users that disclose personal information

Impact of COVID-19 on the generation and disclosure of personal data

The Journal of Public Policy & Marketing published a special collection of papers regarding COVID-19. This included a paper by Aaron R. Brough and Kelly D. Martin, discussing how the COVID-19 pandemic led to four phenomena related to personal data. The four phenomena are: Increased surveillance by governments worldwide, in the form of generalised data … Continue reading Impact of COVID-19 on the generation and disclosure of personal data

Biases in algorithms – the case of Hello Barbie

Sometime ago, I saw a presentation by Val Steeves, Professor of Criminology at the University of Ottawa (Canada), about her research on smart toys. The talk focused on Hello Barbie, a Barbie-branded doll which is advertised as “the first fashion doll that can have a two-way conversation with girls”, and featuring “speech recognition and progressive … Continue reading Biases in algorithms – the case of Hello Barbie

Data harvesting on social media as seduction

In an ideal world, customers would flock to our doors, buy our products over and over again, and happily tell others about their experiences with our brands. But, in the real world, that doesn’t usually happen. In the real world, marketers need to use various techniques to convince customers to use their product. For instance, … Continue reading Data harvesting on social media as seduction

Be careful what you ‘like’ on Facebook

Let me share with you a short video that came to my attention, recently. It shows how much personal data we give away, when we like a page on Facebook: