11/22/2013

Stores May Be Snooping Into Your Smartphone

7:55 minutes

Retailers have used various techniques to analyze in-store buying behavior, such as surveys, video surveillance, and buyer reward programs. Some stores have been tapping into the technology in smartphones to track shoppers’ actions. New York Times reporter Quentin Hardy discusses how they’re doing this and what information they can gather.

Segment Guests

Quentin Hardy

Quentin Hardy is deputy technology editor at the New York Times in San Francisco, California.

Meet the Producer

About Alexa Lim

Alexa Lim was a senior producer for Science Friday. Her favorite stories involve space, sound, and strange animal discoveries.