Don't creep me out

Everyone loves a bit of personalisation – the website that remembers your name, or that recommends exactly the right jeans for you. But not, it turns out, at the expense of privacy.

Everyone loves a bit of personalisation – the website that remembers your name, or that recommends exactly the right jeans for you. Or, venturing offline, the barman who knows exactly how you like your funky Brazilian cocktail.

Why? Because it makes us feel known, and being known makes us feel wanted and important.

This is just as true of Numerous app users as it is of everyone. But there’s a sting in the tail. When we asked our members about personalisation they said, yep, we’re into it, but not at the expense of privacy. 62% said they’d rather not have personalised experiences if it meant their privacy was reduced. 68% of Numerous app members described it as ‘creepy’ when businesses seem to know a lot about them. That’s because sometimes it’s really hard to work out where a company has got the information they use to make your experience personal for you. How DO companies personalise websites, offers and your experience? Where does the data come from?

The problem is, of course, that the personal data comes from companies like Google and Facebook, who’ve collected if as you use their services, and then sold it on. You weren’t really aware that they’ve got that info, so when you suddenly see it being used, even if it’s in a way that improves your experience, it feels wrong.

That’s why Numerous lets you create your own personal data profile and then share it when you want to. You know exactly what you’ve shared, who with, and what for. So rather than it feeling creepy, your personalised experience will feel warm and fuzzy. Or, to put it another way, transparent and honest.

Photo by Ergita Sela on Unsplash