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Do stores use bank account info to analyze shopping patterns? (mander.xyz)

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

32 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Out of a reflex of distrust, I refuse to participate in any kind of loyalty program of the outlet of the large retail store around the corner.

I tell myself that by refusing to join the loyalty program (which basically comes down to scanning an anonymous loyalty card every time I make a purchase), I prevent them from adding my correlations (what products I buy, in what combos, at what time) to their data.

But since I normally pay by card, I guess they can (and do) already do that with my bank account information?

If I would pay with cash, they can still see those correlations per purchase, but they can't track my purchases over time?

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[–] otp 24 points 3 months ago (1 children)

If you're walking around with a cellphone turned on with a SIM plugged in or Wi-Fi or Bluetooth turned on (even if not connected to anything), stores still have ways to track you. They won't get your purchase info, but they'd know when you got there, how long you stayed, and maybe where in the store you went (if it's big enough for multiple access points).

Meanwhile, I've just accepted that they'll track me, and I'm fine if they give me a cut. Cashback and such to pay me for my data.

It'd be nice if I got paid for all the ads I see on the internet and outside.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (4 children)

IPhone/android randomize their MAC addresses now to prevent this kind of long term tracking.

Stores will see you walking the store anonymously and be able to create a general customer heatmap, but since this virtual MAC rotates, they won't be able to correlate this to you indivdually long term.

[–] otp 7 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I believe phones broadcast a sort of fingerprint when searching for wifi and/or Bluetooth connections. No MAC address needed!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

The MAC is generally the fingerprint. Looks like Apple handles this when searching as well:

https://support.apple.com/guide/security/wi-fi-privacy-secb9cb3140c/web

I haven't heard of anything else besides MAC being broadcast during the searching phase. Can you give an example or technical term?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Phones routinely look for specific SSIDs by their names. Imagine you're strolling through a mall while your appearance changes every 2 seconds, but you keep yelling out the names of 5 other peoole. People will not know who you are really, but they will be able to follow you around because they will know that it's you who yells those 5 names no matter what you look like.

[–] otp 1 points 3 months ago

Whenever wifi is enabled, your device is sending out probe request frames, which includes your list of preferred networks/networks you've connected to before.

Discussion here