Description Undertaking market research is a sound process to understand potential segments and audiences for your product. Analytics is a key tools to undertake this work and with the right algorithms, social media in particular offers great insight into consumer behavior, thought and actions. But is can also can play into consumer fears and exploit circumstances in a way many find intrusive and unethical. More recently, the fears of Russian government collusion into democratic processes has brought many of these issues to light.

Take a look at the following link:

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/3/23/17151916/facebook-cambridge-analytica-trump-diagram

As a discussion point, from a point of view of being a consumer, how do you feel when you see how your personal information may be used to target you with specific and very personal messaging from businesses for the purpose of influencing you towards an idea, service or product? When is it okay and when is a line crossed?

This activity is designed to have you think about this issue as a consumer and to understand the role that specific market research can play in these issues. It is therefore fine - indeed expected - that you express a point of view!

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU READ THE LINK BEFORE ANSWERING AND REFER TO THE LINK IN SOME WAY IN YOUR COMMENTS.