Should Consumers Boycott Brands That Fail to Protect Customer Data Privacy?

Imagine this—a week after purchasing shoes online, you see that someone used your card to buy things you never even ordered. Unsettling! This leads you to ask—should we stop buying from brands that collect our data but don’t protect it? So, should we boycott brands that fail to protect data?

The Importance of Data Security

Your data is akin to gold. Hackers extract it, criminals redistribute it, and businesses retain it. A simple error made by a business who is unable to hold your data securely, is not a simple error--it is a serious transgress of trust.

What do we lose if they are unsuccessful?

• Our actual card numbers that the criminal will use to take our money.
• Our registration passwords do give access to our email and social media profiles .
• Our personal data is used against us as someone impersonating us, or collecting personal data about us illicitly.

If a company can not keep our data secure, it begs the question, why would we also trust the with our money?

Do Boycotts Really Work?​

So here’s the big question—if we stop buying products, does that even matter? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Smart brands will wait for people to forget. However, if a large number of consumers choose to walk away, then they feel it in their wallets.

I will admit that I stopped shopping at a big store when they were hacked, and I don’t know if my small purchase stopping will hurt them, but if thousands choose to do so then they will notice.

There are other ways to take action. A few alternatives include:

• Asking brands questions: Demand an explanation about how they protect your data, if they care about safety, and if they're honest about their processes.

• Make informed shopping decisions: Buy from a company that values data safety.

• Utilize available tools: One example is having virtual card numbers generating when shopping online, so your real card number is secure

Also, let's not overlook; equally effective are public complaints. If people yell loud enough on social media, companies may do something quicker than normal.

Final Thoughts​

So what do you think? Should we be boycotting brands that do not protect our data? That's in your hands. I, for one, would prefer to spend my money with brands that honor me. Boycotting won't change the world immediately, however, we communicate the importance of our privacy and that it matters every time we do not support these brands.