Mobile Phones: A Pocketful of Marketing
The future is calling. Pick up!
By: Leigh Buchanan, Max Chafkin, and Ryan McCarthy
This article “Mobile Phones: A Pocketful of Marketing” is about the effects of the increasing trend of technological advanced cellular phones that can be used to browse the web. Since cell phones are being used like PC’s, wireless phone carriers are receiving more data then ever. The information technology allows them to know your phone number, address, credit card information, who your friends are, and your current location at all times. It is only a matter of time before marketers’ get there hands on this information, which will allow a whole new type of marketing. Not only will they have adds on websites when accessing on your phone, but also via text messaging. Companies can buy or rent short codes that can text you with ads or deals that are going on. Imagine that you are within a few blocks from a particular store, and knowing your current location, the store texts you a discount offer or soliciting you to come in. Personally I think this whole concept is a little scary and annoying. It means that people can know where you are at any time of the day and I don’t think I am quite comfortable with that. In the article they say there are privacy regulations, but obviously not enough for them to be able to access all my personal information. It seems as though these stores would be almost stalking you. After looking into this further on another website[1] it confirmed that privacy is going to be a main concern. The United States has minimal protection for consumers using mobile phones. This type of m-advertising could end up being used for improper or criminal purposes such as identity theft, fraud, or electronic stalking. Cellular users can unwittingly allow people to see the credit card information and passwords to accounts.
Article source: http://www.inc.com/magazine/20080201/a-pocketful-of-marketing.html
[1] http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/178895275_3.html
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