In today's complex world and market place, we, as consumers, often run into problems. And the questions are: What do you about them? What are your legal rights as a consumer? Who do you turn to for help? Where do you find the needed information? How do you protect against fraud? Most of the consumers enjoy the benefit of the free flow of personal data. And also most of them do not realize the underlying mechanisms that allow it to take place. Time-conscious consumers have come to rely on customized products and services that require high-tech data collection, including obtaining quick access to credit, purchasing or selling stocks quickly, and checking bank and credit account balances easily. The convenience they rely on is largely due to the ease with which businesses can obtain, share, and transfer information. Information movement is easier because of computerized interactions among businesses. The computerized business builds large and sophisticated databases. Such database can easily help them to effectively target and expand the market for the products and services they provide. Also this information can easily be sold to and shared with others. Consumers' personal data and financial data like social security and credit card numbers, bank and card balance, and buying habits as well as records of their online browsing activity are being used in ways that consumers cannot expect and also consumers do not know to whom their information is transferred and for what purpose. The development of information technology adds a new dimension to the distribution of personal information. The tremendous growth of information technology has created both positive and negative consequences. This paper examines those consequences.
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