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With the grand shift of technology to Online Retail, Social Media, noticing large companies heading more and more towards the internet, mobile applications, online services and social medial to increase their exposure and create stronger business to client relation and moreover obtaining higher turnover. Let's take the case of Amazon, analyzing every client purchase, age, time, location and all the data they can acquire, or Target division of studying consumer behavior to reach the point to know what's their clients next purchase, before they even know it!
Indeed you are totally right. But we reached the point that we can actually predict peoples next purchase!
Amazon for example is sending selected clients their next purchase before they even order it!
You can although check this link to know more about the future of predictive analysis
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/02/16/how-target-figured-out-a-teen-girl-was-pregnant-before-her-father-did/
How Target Figured Out A Teen Girl Was Pregnant Before Her Father Did
But the main question, do you think its ethical?
To some it is relatively new but the fact is that this trend has been in progress for years. You have picked a perfect example, Amazon and not to forget that there are several other companies doing the same. You name it now - from searching for a book to buying daily household items, everything is easily gettable and that too with the help of internet.
I have been working for this industry for3 years now, and what I see that the trend will further develop; and it is good though. Predictive analysis is there already - if you could take example of Google Analytics, companies are performing this based on the historial data that they have and taking appropriate actions to meet and address the customers need globally.
