Nobody reads privacy policies. If you’re like me, you assume that a web site’s reference to a “privacy policy” must mean something good. Here’s an ominous reminder that we must never assume that big companies have our best interests at heart.
TicketMaster changed its privacy policy a few months ago. You didn’t know it, but when you buy a ticket online now, you’re inviting a barrage of spam mail and e-mail and telemarketers. See, this is buried in the teensy fine print:
”By purchasing tickets on the Site, you consent to us sharing your personal information with the venues, promoters, artists and other third parties associated with the concerts and events for which you purchase tickets (“Event Partners”). Due to our contractual obligations with Event Partners, we cannot offer you the opportunity to opt-out of our sharing of your personal information with them. Event Partners may use your personal information in accordance with their own privacy policies. You will need to contact those Event Partners who contact you to instruct them directly regarding your preferences for the use of your personal information by them.” (Emphasis added.)
It’s just an example. TicketMaster deserves to be abused for this, but they’re hardly unique.
