Think your data is private? Better think again.
More and more companies are selling data. Even when privacy policies previously prohibited this action. Short of a legally binding and signed contract between the parties, there are no clear cut laws prohibiting companies from changing privacy policy at will.

Market Research is Booming!

The collection of data (primarily on competitors) is fueling a multi-billion dollar industry called market research. The relatively new Internet market research industry is projected to expand from $9.9 million in 1997 to $72.4 million this year. But that's a drop in the bucket compared to total market research expenditures, which are estimated at $4 billion annually.

Don't Help Your Competitors!

According to the 2000 financial statements of OfficeMax, opening a new store costs them a million dollars.  Knowing where to place these stores is vital. OfficeMax, Staples, Office Depot, Corporate Express, and Boise will pay big bucks to know where your customers are, what they are buying, and how much they are paying! Even if that only includes web site sales!

Just Say No!

The only way to protect yourself is to never, under any circumstances, let your valuable data leave your facility! The law won't protect you, today's partners could be squeezed for cash tomorrow, and from all accounts, the competition is craving this incredibly valuable information.

Horror Stories From the News:
ARTICLE EXCERPT
Failed dot-coms may be selling your private information. Some dot-com failures are resorting to selling information their customers may have thought would remain under lock and key as they scramble to find assets that can be sold to appease creditors.
Valued Asset: User Lists. When an Internet retailer goes belly-up, the customer list is one of the most treasured assets among competitors, said Ken Cassar, senior analyst at Jupiter Media Metrix. "At the end of the day, most dot-coms only have a brand name and a customer database," Cassar said.
When Dot-Coms Die, Will Your Privacy? In classified advertisements in the Wall Street Journal last month, Toysmart, based in Waltham, Massachusetts, announced it is selling its assets, including customer lists and databases.
Banks come under fire for selling customer info. Don't look now, but your name, address, telephone number -- even your checking account information and Social Security number -- may be on the sales block.
And these horror stories go on and on...

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OPSoftware provides Internet and desktop applications for the independent office products dealer. You can visit the OPSoftware web site at www.opsoftware.com.