The practice of providing your CPF number at cost of discounts pharmacies to obtain discounts or participate in loyalty programs has become common and, for many, harmless. After all, who doesn’t like to take advantage of savings on purchases or accumulate points for future benefits? However, this simple act can cost of discounts hide traps that compromise the consumer’s privacy and, in some cases, even the security of their personal information. But after all, what really happens when you share your CPF number?
What’s behind the discounts?
Behind every discount on the purchase of a or beauty product, there is a much greater interest than just retaining the customer. Pharmacies, like other commercial establishments, use the data to build a vast database of information about your consumption habits. This includes everything from the products you buy most to more sensitive data, such as which you regularly use.
When together, this information allows pharmacies and partner companies to create a profile of each consumer. This includes everything from their preferences and frequency of purchases to assumptions about their health status. This doesn’t just benefit the pharmacy — this valuable information can be sold to other companies, such as health plans and marketing agencies, who use it to target offers and, in some cases, to decide whether to grant services or insurance.
The dangers of monetizing personal data
By providing their CPF, consumers are unconsciously handing over an access code to their personal information. Combined canada whatsapp number data with other databases, this number can reveal much more than just a purchase history. It can, for example, be cross-with information, history and even personal preferences, creating a complete profile that can be in a variety of ways.
Impacts on the use of personal data
Misuse of data: Information about may be on to health plans, which may adjust their pricing or coverage policies according to the customer’s health profile.
Targeted advertising: Marketing creative thinking skills: definition and examples companies buy this information to target you with often intrusive and advertisements and offers.
Risk of discrimination: With the profile drawn up, some companies may make decisions that directly impact the consumer, such as denying or increasing interest rates on assumptions about their health status.
What do pharmacies do with your data?
Pharmacies collect and store the CPFs , creating a history of the purchases made. This information is extremely valuable for creating more effective marketing strategies. In addition, pharmacies often form partnerships with other companies, selling this data or exchanging information to further expand the reach of their commercial strategies.
These practices, although china phone numbers often legal, come up against important ethical issues. Consumers are often unaware of the fate of their data and, even when , have no effective control over how this information will be .
How to protect yourself?
With growing concerns about data privacy, there are steps you can take to protect your personal information:
Question the for a CPF: Ask if it is really necessary to provide your CPF to get the discount or if there is another way to participate in the loyalty program.
Understand privacy policies: Whenever possible, read the pharmacies’ privacy policies and find out how your data will be and whether it will be with third parties.
Choose not to provide your data: If you don’t feel comfortable, refuse to provide your CPF. In many cases, it is possible to get the discount or participate in the loyalty program just by providing a phone number or email address.
What do the regulations say?
In Brazil, the General Data Protection Law (LGPD) was to regulate the use of personal data, granting users greater control over their information. The law establishes that companies must obtain explicit consent from consumers to collect and use their data, in addition to offering full transparency on how this information will be .
Therefore, if you feel that your data is being inappropriately or without consent, the consumer has the right to demand explanations and, if necessary, appeal to the National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) to ensure that your rights are .
The True Cost of Discounts
By providing your CPF in exchange for an discount, you may be paying a much higher price in the long run: giving up your privacy. It is essential that everyone is aware of the value of their personal data and the impact that sharing of this information can have.