New Groupon privacy notice may open access

The changed privacy policy of North American online deal site Groupon could give other merchants more access to users' personal information, observers say. Notable changes in an e-mail sent to Groupon users included redefining personal information Groupon collects as well as stating how others could access that information, Venturebeat reported Monday. While stating personal information will be used to "offer you real-time deals nearby," the privacy statement's "When and Why Groupon Discloses Personal Information" section revealed: "We encourage Groupon merchants and business partners to adopt and post privacy policies. However, the use of your personal information by such parties is governed by the privacy policies of such parties and is not subject to our control," meaning anything listed as personal information can be shared with parties that do not adhere to privacy assurances in Groupon's privacy policy, Venturebeat said. Also stated is Groupon's ability to access and collect information from third-party Web sites to enhance their offerings. For example, Venturebeat said, if a person uses Facebook Connect with Groupon, that person automatically has given access to profile information for use allowable under Facebook and Groupon terms of service.