Note: The news sites linked from these stories are constantly being updated. As a result, some links may no longer be valid.

Flashback: Get Ready For The Privacy Backlash

What's the answer to the erosion of our privacy? A few good sized protests! Here's an excerpt from an article warning retail executives that consumers are getting fed up. Let's prove it.
Experts say that consumers are the sleeping giant of the privacy movement. [One privacy advocate] blames the current apathy on the fact that many advocates have been talking to the wrong audience. "Privacy advocates have only been speaking to a finite audience within the technology community and the public policy world," he says. "They need to rip a page out of other consumer advocacy initiatives like the environmental movement." You'll know that the privacy message has struck home with consumers, he says, when we see the kinds of mass demonstrations that plagued the World Trade Organization gathering in Seattle last year. ("Get ready for the privacy backlash." Darwin Magazine, August, 2001)

A Little Humor at Kroger's Expense

The Kroger Plus Card is the subject of a hilarious lampoon by K Composite Magazine (http://www.kcomposite.com). The magazine has a regular feature called "Cult of the Month" designed to "alert our readers to new and growing organizations whose followers are religiously dedicated...make sacrifices to be a part of the group, and will fight in defense of its honor." Kroger Plus Card holders have the dubious honor of being this month's featured Cult.

"As part of a massive campaign to grow enlistment for their army, the grocery store chain has accosted their followers with a barrage of advertising as they return the Temple of Kroger each week. Kroger collects the names and addresses of each of their faithful, and in return offer their membership the promise of lower priced groceries than the rest of the uninitiated masses...Most Kroger Plus Shopper’s Club members are willing participants, blinded by the guise of discounts, proudly displaying the Kroger keychain tag to identify themselves to other members. The organization has faced little opposition and the keychain tags have succeeded in putting the Kroger name into everyday experiences that were previously devoid of advertising."

The story goes on to feature an interview with a "cult member." Very funny stuff!

Kroger: "One of America's 100 Best Corporate Citizens." They're Kidding, Right?

It pains me to even write this, so I'll just quote from the Kroger press release:

"The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that it has been named one of America's "100 Best Corporate Citizens" by Business Ethics, a national publication that highlights corporate social responsibility. Kroger ranked 15th on the list, which honors companies that best serve four groups: stockholders, employees, customers and the community. Kroger was the highest-rated retailer on the list. The magazine analyzed a variety of data, including volunteer and community activities, philanthropy, workforce diversity, and employee benefits and safety issues. Rankings were assigned by researchers at Boston College's Carroll School of Management, using social rankings compiled by Kinder, Lyndenberg, Domini & Co. (KLD), a social research firm."

If you find this preposterous beyond belief, please visit the Business Ethics Magazine website (which you'll find to be three years out of date) and drop them an e-mail. While you're at it, take a look at the "Social Rating Criteria" used by KLD -- you'll see no mention of privacy practices as a factor in ranking companies. Drop KLD an e-mail too -- these folks need a wakeup call. (Kroger Press Release 3/17/00)

Shoppers Choose Privacy over Discounts

Consumers are thinking twice about shopper surveillance cards. Privacy experts say there's nothing to keep loyalty card data secret from a subpoena if someone is being sought in a criminal case or involved in a child-custody fight. "You may innocently buy junk food, a pregnancy kit or over-the-counter sleeping aids, but how would it look if you decided to run for the school board or mayor 10 years from now?" (Denver Rocky Mountain News 10/17/99)

Supermarket Responds to Customer Pressure

Alabama supermarket chain, Bruno's, has been forced to negotiate a settlement with striking workers because of shopper pressure. Bruno's CEO said, "We are pleased that the strike has ended, and our first goal will be to win back all of our customers who shopped elsewhere this past week." The lesson here? "Shopping elsewhere" is a very effective weapon. (Newspage 10/99)

Safeway Increases Loyalty Card Discounts in UK

Safeway has been "forced" to increase the discounts associated with its monitoring and registration card to stay competitive. The problem, according to the article's author, is that "the UK market is too small to support 4 supermarket chains." How long before it is claimed that the world is too small to support more than a few supermarket chains? (Retail Systems 6/98)

British Supermarket Chain, Tesco, Links Utilities to "Loyalty" Program

Tesco, not content merely to monitor shoppers' food purchases has linked its "loyalty" card to the natural gas supplied to their homes. The move was described as "an important milestone" by gas industry officials. An important milestone on the road to what, we might ask? (BBC 2/98)

A Clue to the Cost of Registration and Monitoring

Sainsbury's spent 3.7 Million British pounds to acquire a "32-processor Aviion AV 2000" computer (which was claimed to be the largest such server in the world), to keep track of customers. Who do you think is paying for this? (11/97)

Not enough Supermarkets Employing Loyalty Schemes!

This 1997 article reports the "disappointing" finding that only 19% of U.S. supermarkets had so far implemented registration and monitoring programs. The problem? "Too many supermarkets still rely on their traditional strengths - product availability and pricing." It's a shame that so few are doing so today. (9/97)

CASPIAN
Consumers Against Supermarket Privacy Invasion and Numbering
An information clearinghouse and resource for community and national action

© 1999-2005 Katherine Albrecht. All rights reserved.