Are you a RealAge member?
By speakeasy
@speakeasy (4171)
United States
March 26, 2009 4:09pm CST
For those of you who have not heard of "RealAge" it is a website where you can take a quiz that tells you what your "RealAge" is compared to the actual number of years you have been alive. It also gives you tips to lower your "RealAge" increasing your chances of living longer.
Anyone can take the quiz and get the results at no cost. You are also offered the chance to sign up for a free "RealAge membership" where you will get emails and newletters from the company.
What they do not explain clearly is the fact that they are selling the answers to your quiz to DRUG COMPANIES. Then, they send you emails that are targeted to YOU (based on your answers) trying to sell you drugs for conditions you have or may be "at risk" for developing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/technology/internet/26privacy.html?th&emc=th
Some people who found this out have no problem sharing very personal information with drug companies. Others were shocked and appalled that this information was passed along to companies who are pushing drugs.
What do you think? Are you a "RealAge member"? Have you even taken the quiz? If you take the quiz now, will you opt to become a member or not?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@bloodcakelover (420)
• Malaysia
26 Mar 09
i take the quiz but i don sign up after that....i like quizzes but im not going to become member...=)
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
26 Mar 09
That is a smart attitude. The company does say they may share your information with a "third party"; but, it is in the "privcy info" section buried under a lot a legal stuff and does not say who the "third party" might be.
@tinkerick (1257)
• United States
26 Mar 09
I do quizzes only once in a while (usually through Quick Rewards) but I NEVER sign up at the end. I always just skip through all the offers and never ever give my personal info at the end. They'll still give you the answers even if you don't sign up.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
26 Mar 09
That is the good thing about this company - they will give you the answer whether you sign up or not; but, this just goes to show that you never REALLY know where your information is going when you sign up for things.
