Which activity raises ethical concerns due to data mining capabilities?

Selling customer data for external marketing research raises significant ethical concerns due to several factors associated with privacy, consent, and the potential for exploitation of sensitive information.

When organizations collect data about their customers, there is an inherent expectation of privacy. Customers typically share their information under the assumption that it will be used for specific purposes that align with their consent, such as improving services or personalizing experiences. However, when this data is sold to third parties, it often occurs without explicit permission from the individuals whose data is being sold. This lack of consent can lead to distrust and dissatisfaction among customers, as their information is being utilized in ways they did not agree upon or anticipate.

Furthermore, external marketing research may involve using this data to target individuals with advertisements or offers that they may find intrusive or irrelevant, potentially leading to feelings of being manipulated. There's also the potential for misuse of data, where sensitive information could end up in the hands of parties that may not be committed to ethical standards, raising concerns about discrimination or predatory marketing practices based on personal data.

In contrast, monitoring employee performance, enhancing data security measures, and conducting internal audits, while they may have their own considerations, do not exhibit the same level of ethical complexity related to consent and personal privacy as