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Vintina Hanna
CST 300 Writing Lab
12 February 2023
Personal Data Use

Personal data use is when the movement of the people are tracked online or

when personal information of individuals are accessible to companies and AI systems

that gather all of the personal data and store them for gain of all kinds. In today’s world,

the use of personal data is heavily implemented in softwares across many companies

and sites and has become a major issue as the rapid advancement in technology has

made it easier to collect and store vast amounts of personal information. On one hand,

the use of personal data can bring numerous benefits such as improved service

customization, targeted advertising, and increased efficiency in various industries.

However, the misuse of personal data can lead to serious consequences such as

identity theft, financial fraud, and infringement of privacy rights. The increasing reliance

on digital devices and online platforms has also raised concerns about the security of

personal data, as data breaches have become more frequent. It is important for

individuals to be aware of the potential risks and benefits of personal data use and for

organizations to implement strong data protection measures to ensure the safe and

responsible handling of personal information. Because the personal data use in today's

society is a double-edged sword, there are two different groups of people who would be

for the idea and against it.

Issue

Data misuse can cause problems like scam calls and unnecessary sales

approaches from companies that have no ethical right to know specific data about

individuals. Websites having access to confidential information about people also

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creates potential privacy issues. The collection and use of personal data without

individuals' consent or knowledge is becoming a growing concern in society. According

to a study by the Pew Research Center, 79% of American adults are concerned about

how their data is collected. That same study found that 81% felt the risks of data

collection outweigh the benefits, while 59% have little understanding of how companies

use their data (Invisibly, 2022). Business leaders know there is tracking happening on

their sites but don’t do anything about it, further complicating the issue of data privacy.

According to a recent survey commissioned by Zoho and conducted by CRM

Essentials, nearly 64% of U.S. and Canadian business leaders surveyed said they know

tracking happens on their sites, but they don't inform visitors (Sundaram, 2022).

Companies do not inform the visitors because they benefit from it. According to

Business News Daily, data brokers, or data service providers that buy and sell

information on customers, have risen as a new industry alongside big data (Business

News Daily, 2023). The rise of big data and advancements in artificial intelligence have

only magnified the urgency of this problem, as vast amounts of personal information are

being collected, analyzed, and shared by various organizations. Furthermore, data

breaches and cyber-attacks have raised fears about the security of personal information

and the potential for it to be used for malicious purposes. The challenges posed by

personal data use highlight the importance of strong data protection laws and the need

for individuals to be informed about their rights and how to protect their personal

information.

Stakeholder Analysis

Stakeholder 1: Consumers who are concerned about their personal information.

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Consumers who are concerned about the security of their personal information

and the potential for data breaches believe that the use of personal data should be

limited to ensure the protection of their sensitive information. Consumers deserve to

have awareness of and control over how their personal information is

collected/shared/tracked, in-person and online (Easy_Llama, 2022). Consumers are

worried that their personal information may be misused, stolen, or sold to unauthorized

third parties, putting their privacy and security at risk. To support their position,

consumers often argue that businesses and organizations must be held responsible for

protecting their personal data. They may also use analogies to explain the importance

of data security, such as comparing personal data to the contents of a safe that must be

kept secure. The consumer's position is based on the belief that personal information is

valuable and should be treated as such, and that individuals should have control over

who has access to their personal information and how it is used. They argue that

businesses and organizations must be transparent about their data collection practices

and provide clear and concise privacy policies to protect the security and privacy of their

customers.

Stakeholder 2: Businesses that rely on personal data to improve their services.

Businesses and organizations that rely on the use of personal data to improve

their services and make informed decisions are stakeholders who believe that personal

data use is beneficial. Personalization through consumer data also informs new product

and solution development (Stormon, 2019). They see the use of personal data as a way

to enhance their services and make better decisions that meet the needs of their

customers. To support their position, these stakeholders often use claims of fact and
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value to argue that the use of personal data provides valuable insights into consumer

behavior and helps them to improve their offerings. They may also use definitions and

analogies to explain how personal data can be used in a responsible and ethical

manner, such as comparing the use of personal data to market research or consumer

surveys. The business's position is based on the belief that the use of personal data is

necessary to remain competitive and relevant in today's fast-paced and data-driven

world. They argue that responsible data collection and use can lead to improved

products and services, better decision-making, and a more enjoyable experience for

their customers.

Argument Question

Should businesses and organizations be allowed to collect and use personal

data without explicit consent from individuals?

Arguments

Stakeholder 1: Consumers who are concerned about their personal information.

From the perspective of consumers who are concerned about their personal

information, they argue for explicit consent for the collection and use of personal data by

businesses and organizations. This aligns with Kant’s ethical framework, which holds

that actions must respect the inherent dignity and worth of individuals and be based on

universal moral duties and rules. The protection of personal data is a moral duty and

necessary for preserving individual autonomy and privacy. The non-maleficence

principle also supports this argument, as unauthorized collection and use of personal

data can harm individuals by compromising their privacy and security. The correct

course of action, according to this perspective, is transparency and explicit consent for
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data collection. This protects individual privacy and security, reduces data breach risks,

and prevents unauthorized use of personal information. This outcome protects the

consumer's privacy and security and highlights the importance of respecting individuals'

inherent dignity and worth, and supporting the need for accountability in data collection

and use.

Stakeholder 2: Businesses that rely on personal data to improve their services.

From the perspective of businesses that rely on personal data to improve their

services, they argue that the collection and use of personal data is necessary for

providing better products and services to customers. This aligns with the utilitarian

ethical framework, which holds that actions should maximize overall happiness and

well-being. By collecting and using personal data, businesses can gain valuable insights

and improve their services to better meet customer needs and preferences. “It really is

beneficial when an employee, and/or the company is genuine in showing that they have

consumers’ best interests in mind” (MediaMa, 2019). This leads to increased customer

satisfaction, loyalty, and well-being, which ultimately benefits society as a whole.

Utilitarianism also supports the argument that data collection should be transparent and

that individuals should be informed of its purpose and usage. However, the end goal of

maximizing overall happiness outshines the individual's right to privacy in this ethical

framework. The correct course of action, according to this perspective, is balancing

privacy concerns with the benefits of data collection and use. This allows for businesses

to provide better services, while also respecting individual privacy rights. A different

outcome could limit the ability of businesses to improve their services, leading to

decreased customer satisfaction. Utilitarian ethics provide a framework for evaluating

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personal data use, highlighting the importance of maximizing overall happiness and

well-being, and supporting the need for a balance between privacy concerns and the

benefits of data collection and use.

Student Position

The protection of personal data should be a top priority for businesses and

organizations. Consumers who are concerned about the security of their personal

information and the potential for data breaches have the right to be concerned about

their personal data. The ideal recommendation to solve the issue would be for

businesses to implement strict data protection policies that prioritize the privacy and

security of consumer information. This includes proper storage and protection of

personal data, clear and transparent data usage policies, and swift response in the case

of data breaches.The privacy and security of personal data is of utmost importance and

should not be compromised for the sake of business gain. Businesses should not view

their customers as adversaries: on the contrary, customers are a precious ally whose

safety and trust should be a priority (Easy_Llama, 2022). It is important that individuals

are aware of the potential risks and are able to make informed choices about how their

data is used. Organizations also have a responsibility to ensure that they are collecting

and using personal data in a responsible and ethical way, and that they are taking steps

to protect individuals' privacy and security. I strongly believe that consumers have a

right to control their personal information and to know how it is being used. By

implementing strong data protection policies, businesses can establish trust with

consumers and maintain their personal data in a secure manner. This solution not only
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benefits consumers, but also helps businesses maintain their reputation and avoid

potential legal issues.

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References

Easy_Llama. (2022, October 17). The Pros and cons of privacy laws for consumers and

corporations. Retrieved February 5, 2023, from https://www.easyllama.com/blog/

pros -and-cons-of-privacy-laws/

Freedman, M. (2023, January 23). Businesses are collecting data. how are they using

it? Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/10625

-businesses-collecting-data.html

Lai, S. (2022, June 16). Data misuse and disinformation: Technology and the 2022

elections. Retrieved February 5, 2023, from https://www.brookings.edu/blog

/techtank/2022/06/21/data-misuse-and-disinformation-technology-and-the-2022

-elections/

The Pros and cons of having your personal information known online. (2019, October

13). Retrieved February 5, 2023, from https://www.mediamapbrisbane.com.au/

the-pros - and-cons-of-having-your-personal-information-known-online/

Stormon, A. (n.d.). The 5 forgotten benefits of Consumer Data You Need To Know.

Retrieved February 5, 2023, from https://blogs.oracle.com/advertising/post/ the

-5-forgotten-Benefits-of-consumer-data-you-need-to-know
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Sundaram, V. (2022, November 09). Council post: Data Privacy Abuse continues

because we struggle to define the problem. Retrieved February 14, 2023, from

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2021/01/04/

data-privacy-abuse-continues-because-we-struggle-to-define-the-problem/

?sh=193df13032e9

Top industries and companies selling your personal data. (2022, December 07).

Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://www.invisibly.com/learn-blog/

companies-selling-your-personal-data/