Browse Definitions :
Definition

data broker (information broker)

A data broker, also called an information broker or information reseller, is a business that collects personal information about consumers and sells that information to other organizations.

Data brokers can collect information about consumers from a variety of public and non-public sources including courthouse records, website cookies and loyalty card programs. Typically, brokers create profiles of individuals for marketing purposes and sell them to businesses who want to target their advertisements and special offers.

Currently, there is no legislation that requires a data broker to share the information they have gathered with the consumers they have profiled. In an effort to provide transparency, however, the data broker Acxiom has created a web site called Aboutthedata.com. The site allows consumers to register, see what information Acxiom has collected about them and correct data that is wrong. Critics maintain that the website is just another way for the company to gather more data.

Data brokers may refer to themselves as being database marketers or consumer data analytics firms.  

This was last updated in September 2013

Continue Reading About data broker (information broker)

Networking
Security
CIO
  • prototyping model

    The prototyping model is a systems development method in which a prototype is built, tested and then reworked as necessary until ...

  • digital ecosystem

    A digital ecosystem is a group of interconnected information technology resources that can function as a unit.

  • procurement plan

    A procurement plan -- also called a procurement management plan -- is a document that is used to manage the process of finding ...

HRSoftware
  • talent pipeline

    A talent pipeline is a pool of candidates who are ready to fill a position.

  • recruitment process outsourcing (RPO)

    Recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) is when an employer turns the responsibility of finding potential job candidates over to a ...

  • human resources (HR) generalist

    A human resources generalist is an HR professional who handles the daily responsibilities of talent management, employee ...

Customer Experience
  • outbound marketing

    Outbound marketing is a traditional form of marketing in which an organization initiates contact with potential customers, or ...

  • churn rate

    Churn rate is a measure of the number of customers or employees who leave a company during a given period.

  • marketing campaign management

    Marketing campaign management is the planning, executing, tracking and analysis of direct marketing campaigns.

Close