As the Christmas dust settles, the process of sorting out gifts begins. Those like me who received computer software and hardware now begin trying to figure out how to install and use those gifts. As I began the process I repeatedly ran into the same obstacle. I had hoped to simply follow the instructions and install the new software: a difficult enough task for one born before the age of computers. My dismay quickly turned to anger as I repeatedly ran into the same roadblock. That roadblock was the demand, not request, for personal information. I say demand because they did not ask for it. They required it in order for the software to be installed.
I have two computers, a lap top and an old desk top that can no longer get online. In addition to this blog I have two photo blogs. I like to edit my photos on the desk top. Because of that, I tried to load my new photo software onto that computer. I was unable to because the software required me to go online to register it. They wanted me to go online to register it because they wanted to know who I was, where I lived. what kind of computer I have, where I got the software, and what I would be using it for.
There was a time when if you bought an item of substance a card was included that asked for information such as where you lived, where you bought it, your age, and so on. You could fill out the card and return it or you could throw it away. Either way your purchase was unaffected. That is still the case with many items. The blender you bought will work whether you return the information card or not. That is not the case when it comes to computer software. Software companies have consumers by the short hairs, as we used to say in the Army. Software companies are able to coerce their consumers by demanding information from them before the product can be used. If you do not want to provide that information you might as well throw your software into the trash.
It is not unreasonable for a company to want to know who buys their product, where they bought it, and how they intend to use it. It is unreasonable to demand that information. It should be enough for Broderbund to know that they sold a piece of software and where they sold it. Selling software, or any other product is a company's business. Knowing where and when it was sold is good business. Knowing who bought the product along with their age, race, and gender is pushing the envelope. Knowing information regarding who I am and how, where, and for what purpose I intend to use to use that product, might be good business as well. But it is first and foremost my business. If they want that information they are free to ask for it. To demand that information in order to install and use their product it is little short of extortion. They have their money. That should be enough.
I suppose when we lay the last shreds of our privacy on the alter of profit we can take comfort in knowing the economy is better off for it. After all, the economy is the only thing that really matters any more. It is the stick with which we measure the world.
