For many years, outsourcing has provided an efficient, cost-effective way to perform many of a business’ data processing functions, including communications, internet hosting and website management, network and systems operations, software development and services, application development and maintenance, desktop management and field services, data management, customer support, and much more. Especially with increasing robotics and process automation expanding so quickly, the growth of outsourcing is likely to continue into the future.

Two Missing Pieces

Until recently, most outsourcing processes have paid little attention to two components. One is the privacy of individuals’ personal information. Except in certain sectors like health care, finances or education, and with various limits on techniques like background searches, telemarketing and so on, the U.S. attitude has mostly thought that contact information, purchase histories and preference, demographics, and much other personal data should be widely available—not exactly for “theft,” but perhaps for “creative monetizing,” especially through direct advertising.