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Build.com's Data Collection Mechanisms Under Scrutiny

How online retail companies process user data is increasingly scrutinized as privacy concerns grow. Build.com, one such company with significant market share in US building materials, explains through its published privacy policy what data it collects and for what purposes. The details of the policy reveal how extensively modern digital commerce relies on data networks to analyze user behavior.

As stated in the privacy policy, the company automatically collects technical information during users' site visits. This information includes IP address, browser type, operating system, page view durations, navigation paths within the site, and search terms. Such data is typically obtained through cookies and similar tracking technologies. This collected technical data is used to improve website performance, personalize user experience, and ensure site security.

Purposes of Personal Data Usage

Build.com also directly requests significant personal data from users. When creating an account, placing an order, or subscribing to newsletters, users must provide sensitive data such as name, email address, physical address, phone number, and payment information. According to the company's policy, this information is primarily used for processing and delivering orders, providing customer service, personalized marketing communications, and account management.

Email marketing systems particularly stand out as powerful tools for mapping user preferences. Behavioral data such as which emails are opened, which links are clicked, and responses to campaigns enable the creation of rich profiles about users' interests. This profiling aims to present users with more relevant products and offers.

Data Sharing and Third Parties

Build.com's privacy policy also clearly states that collected data may be shared with third parties. The primary purpose of this sharing is collaboration with service providers. Payment processors, shipping companies, marketing agencies, data analysis companies, and cloud computing service providers are among third parties with limited access to this data. The policy emphasizes that these partners are obligated to comply with their own privacy commitments.

Additionally, it states that data may be shared with law enforcement and other official authorities when required by legal obligations or to protect the company's rights, property, or security. Users need to consider the potential for their data to be transferred in this manner.

User Rights and Data Control

Build.com's policy also grants certain rights to users. Users have the right to learn what personal data about them is stored, request corrections to this data, restrict processing of data, or opt out of specific marketing communications. How to exercise these rights is generally explained in the policy as contacting customer service.

However, Build.com—which should not be confused with the technology and software development term "build" (the process of creating a compiled, executable version of software)—as a retail company, places user data at the center of its process while continuously "building" its own digital infrastructure. This situation reminds consumers once again of the importance of carefully reading privacy policies of platforms they use and being aware of what data they share in exchange for what.

In conclusion, Build.com's privacy policy demonstrates how digital commerce