Like any technology, apps can be used to gather data. This data can then be analysed and shared/sold to companies who require the type of research data an app such as ‘WishShare’ can provide. This sharing of information and data selling is the way ‘WishShare’ will produce a profit. In turn, it will also help companies develop their products in a way which tailors directly to their target market. However, there are a number of data types and pieces of information which can be gathered from ‘WishShare’, therefore, it is vital that data is managed and filtered before being shared outside of ‘WishShare’ to ensure private information is kept confidential.
The following list is comprised of data types which will be deleted. Data such as these have little to no use and therefore are not needed. Nor is the data desirable to those wanting to purchase data.
- Obsolete versions
- Third-party data
- Intermediate files
- temporary/auxiliary files
In terms of raw data, certain information such as private/personal details will be excluded from sales meaning GDPR cannot be breached and those who purchase the data will be unable to identify a user beyond their number. This will include the following data:
- Telephone numbers
- First names
- Surnames
- E-mail addresses
- Dates of birth
The following list is comprised of data which will be kept and is useful to the app and its potential developments:
- Raw data
- Input data
- Settings
- Consent documents
- software/model codes
As there is an abundance of data which can be gathered and shared, ‘WishShare’ will begin its data sharing by focusing on select data which coincide with one another and are considered some of the more desirable data areas to companies looking to develop, enhance or progress. For example, by purchasing the data they can use the information to design or modify their own apps, tailoring them to the activity of their target market. Below is a list of the initial data and sub-data which will be the focus during the early days of ‘WishShare’:
Initial data:
- Age
- Gender
- City
- Country
Sub-data:
- Average number of times a user touches screen
- Average number of swipes
- Average number of scrolls
- Types of items added
- Average number of times a user accesses app
- Time user spends on app
‘WishShare’ collects data essential to the apps’ future developments. Using the data gathered, modifications to the design and layout of the app can be made. This allows for the app to update by seeing how users are interacting with the display. Another way in which the data will help future developments is that of data sales. By observing the data that the app gathers ‘WishShare’ can adjust, add or remove data depending on what they are producing the best information on or if the demand within the data market changes. This also means that the data can help expand the nature of the app in the future. Selling data to companies which require data from a country they aren’t based in or vice versa, ‘WishShare’ can become known amongst the international data traders. Another future development that can arise from the data provided by ‘WishShare’ is advertising. By analysing the trends in items each user adds, ‘WishShare’ could expand into promoting advertisements of similar products or brands. This would be a feature where companies pay to have items or their brand advertised on ‘WishShare’ allowing the app to choose the adverts for each user depending on their lists. In turn, the app would be encouraging users to become consumers of the companies in their advertisements. Other developments include expansion into the wedding and baby market where ‘WishShare’ can be used for registry and items can be removed when bought to avoid duplicates.
The benefits of ‘WishShare’ are that it’s a quick and convenient way to shop for gifts with the addition of all lists being tailormade by the recipients. Competitors with similar concepts do exist, with few online wishlists being accessible to more than just the profile owner such as on sites such as Amazon (Bakkila, 2019). ‘EasyGift’ being one, however, ‘WishShare’ has the edge of being more user-friendly and therefore appeals to a more diverse age range who require navigational ease.
REFERENCES
Working with data:Weeding data. (2019, December 19). Retrieved from https://library.bath.ac.uk/research-data/working-with-data/weeding-data
How to monetize your data. (2019, August 19). Retrieved from https://www.lotame.com/how-to-monetize-your-data/
How businesses are collecting data (And what they are doing with it). (2018, August 3). Retrieved from https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/10625-businesses-collecting-data.html
EasyGifts App. (2019). Retrieved from
9 Gift-Giving Apps That Make It So Easy to Find the Perfect Present. (2019, April 30). Retrieved from
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/gift-ideas/g27194384/best-gift-giving-apps/
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