UK Govt to use loyalty card data to snoop on the eating habits of 25 million shoppers

Supermarket spies: How the Government plans to use loyalty card data to snoop on the eating habits of 25million shoppers

  • Whitehall in talks with supermarkets over sharing their data, which shows exactly what customers buy
  • People with poor diets would be sent tailored advice to improve their health and lifestyles
  • Parents could be contacted if their bills show they are not giving their offspring a balanced diet
  • Giants like Tesco know more about eating habits than the NHS, experts claim

By Martin Robinson

|

The shopping habits of Britain's 25 million supermarket loyalty card holders could be grabbed by the Government in an attempt to halt the UK's dangerous obesity crisis, it was claimed today.

People who buy too much alcohol, fatty foods or sugary drinks would be targeted with 'tailored' health advice under plans being considered by the Coalition.

With more children than ever dangerously overweight, parents could also be contacted if their bills show they are not giving their offspring a balanced diet from their weekly shop.

Cutting obesity-related illness would help the NHS save billions.

Nudge: Supermarkets with loyalty cards can collate huge amounts of data about shopping habits and the Government wants to tap into their resources

Nudge: Supermarkets with loyalty cards can collate huge amounts of data about shopping habits and the Government wants to tap into their resources

A Whitehall unit set up to covertly change the habits of Britons has already been in talks with the major supermarkets to gain access to their huge shopping databases.

Their loyalty card systems allows them to collate detailed lists of what all their shoppers buy. Around 25 million people have these cards, with Tesco alone having 15 million members.

 

The head of the Government's Behavioural Insights Team said supermarkets had more information on the diets of Britons than their own doctors.

David Halpern, the head of the Whitehall team known as the 'nudge unit', told The Daily Telegraph: 'If you go and buy your stuff regularly, they [the supermarkets] know exactly what you are buying.'

Target: David Cameron, shown shopping this year, is said to back the plan

Target: David Cameron, shown shopping earlier this year, is said to back the plan to improve health

Prime Minister David Cameron is said to back these 'nudge' tactics, which are designed to slowly influence the choices of people rather than using Government legislation to force change.

But Health Secretary Andrew Lansley and other Tories are said to be opposed to the idea in case they are accused of snooping on the public by employing 'Big Brother' techniques.

American academic Richard Thaler, who is an expert on nudge techniques met the cabinet, including the Prime Minister and Chancellor George Osborne this month, to discuss the issue with them.

He told them that the information held by Britain's big businesses is key to helping them change behaviour.

Groups: Parents who do not buy healthy food for their children would also be sent tailored advice under the plan

Groups: Parents who do not buy healthy food for their children would also be sent tailored advice under the plan

The PM has already tried several ideas using nudge techniques with varying degrees of success.

A scheme to help people compare energy prices with people in their street worked as did writing to professionals to encourage them to fill in their late tax returns.

One in three doctors, for example, responded to the letters by submitting it, ten times the number a year earlier when no letter was sent.

It is not clear yet whether supermarkets will agree to share their information as attempts by Governments in the past have been rejected.

But with the issue of obesity in Britain a growing problem they may be convinced to help as they face pressure to help improve diet and lifestyle.

Views: 90

Comment

You need to be a member of 12160 Social Network to add comments!

Join 12160 Social Network

"Destroying the New World Order"

TOP CONTENT THIS WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!

mobile page

12160.info/m

12160 Administrators

 

Latest Activity

Burbia commented on Burbia's video
2 hours ago
Burbia posted a video

SUPEROLA & THE LOST BURGERS

This Game is RUBBISH !
2 hours ago
Doc Vega posted a blog post
Saturday
pohonemas33 team commented on tjdavis's photo
Thumbnail

DejaVu

"nice very goodjob, i wish you can visit official situs pohonemas33"
Saturday
Sandy posted a photo
Saturday
Doc Vega posted a blog post
Friday
Saint Quinn favorited Burbia's video
Friday
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Thursday
Burbia commented on tjdavis's blog post The Jewish Couple That Taught Bob Dylan Hebrew and Introduced Him to Zionism
"Haaretz put this story behind a pay wall. Sali Ariel and Terry Noble were the names of the couple…"
Wednesday
William Heckman is now a member of 12160 Social Network
Wednesday
cheeki kea commented on tjdavis's photo
Wednesday
cheeki kea commented on cheeki kea's video
Thumbnail

This Woman DESTROYED Harley-Davidson's Future Forever

"It's a sad day on the highway. But I guess the show must go on. Watch out for the ruination of…"
Wednesday
cheeki kea posted a video

This Woman DESTROYED Harley-Davidson's Future Forever

This Woman DESTROYED Harley-Davidson's Future ForeverWelcome to Ride Radar – Your Frontline Source for Motorcycle Deals, Trends & Market Mayhem.Looking for t...
Wednesday
tjdavis posted a photo
Jul 23
Burbia posted a status
"Who knew releasing the MLK files and literally deflecting, it ends up implicating himself with the Epstein Files."
Jul 21
Burbia posted a video

Dan Bilzerian DEMOLISHES MAGA Nutjob Patrick Bet-David on His Own Show

Watch as two powerhouse personalities collide in this no-holds-barred debate on one of the world’s most contentious issues. Patrick Bet-David, known for his ...
Jul 21
Doc Vega's 7 blog posts were featured
Jul 20
tjdavis's 2 blog posts were featured
Jul 20
Less Prone favorited tjdavis's blog post Track AIPAC
Jul 20
FREEDOMROX's blog post was featured

MRNA VACCINES: Question

Hello my fellow sojourners,I know it has been five years since the Plandemic, but one question has…See More
Jul 20

© 2025   Created by truth.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

content and site copyright 12160.info 2007-2019 - all rights reserved. unless otherwise noted