Ever wonder why you are asked for information when you make a purchase? I've been asked for all kinds of things, like my name, phone number, postal code, etc. Once I made a cash purchase at Radio Shack. After taking my money, and before giving me my change, the guy at the cash wanted my name and postal code. I'm not in the habit of giving these out, so I refused. He then insisted that I must allow him to photocopy my driver's license. Naturally, I refused, and this led to a rather lengthly debate. He refused to give me my product, my receipt, or my money back until I produced my drivers license! Remember, this was a CASH purchase, and last I heard I was not legally required to provide personal information to every asshole that asks for it. The line of customers was growing behind me, the other person behind the cash took off somewhere, and I grew more impatient. I informed him that if I didn't get what was mine NOW I was coming behind the counter to take it. I guess at this point the store manager got wind of what was going on and came out and corrected the situation, although I was given no apology.
This idiot was an extreme example, but I've had many retailers insist they needed some of this information. For their databases. Sure, it's unavoidable to some extent, but to the degree I can control it I limit the personal info I give out. I don't want corporations to be able to query their databases and find out what size clothes I wear, how much tofu I eat, or how many condoms I use every month. (not enough)
I want my privacy!
If you're concerned about privacy issues, I'd recommend the book "Database Nation" by Simson Garfinkel.
As much as I hate Amazon (that's another rant) I'll provide a link here.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0596001053/002-2903956-2221617?v=glance
And another:
http://www.databasenation.com/home.htm
Walter