What is Costco’s Privacy Policy? (Do they sell your data + other FAQs)
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In case you haven’t realized, even companies like Costco track your activity, store your data and then analyze it, but they can’t do anything without your permission. Have you read Costco’s Privacy Policy?
If not, it’s worth a look. What is Costco’s Privacy Policy, and what does it mean in simple terms? I’ve broken it down below, so read on to find out!
What is Costco’s 2022 Privacy Policy?
Starting in 2022, Costco has a comprehensive Privacy Policy covering the information they collect and how it is used, as well as how the company handles sensitive healthcare information, and how to contact Costco if you believe your privacy has been inappropriately violated. However, Costco does sell customer data to advertising and marketing entities.
To learn more about the types of data Costco collects, if HIPAA laws apply to Costco, what Costco tends to do with different types of data, and other FAQs, keep reading!
What data does Costco collect?
On Costco’s privacy policy page, the company lists the types of information they collect.
This includes:
- Personal information such as name, contact information, social media handles, and even driver’s license number
- Protected classification/demographic data such as age, date of birth, gender, disability status
- Commercial information, including order history, payment methods, etc.
- Accurate and more general geolocation information (ZIP)
- Information about your Internet connection
- Audio, Video, Electronic Surveillance (shot in store, can be used to assist law enforcement)
- Employment, just like your current employer
- make inferences about you, such as what you are interested in and what your preferences are
Costco can use all of this information to learn more about your buying habits, then “hack” you and get you to buy more.
However, did you know that you can opt out of the use of your personal information and data?
Fortunately, even if we agree to the terms when we sign up as a Costco member or use the Costco website, you can disagree.
Additionally, Costco says you have several options: visit the membership counter at any location; call membership services, chat on Costco.com, or even write to them.
The Member Services number is 1-800-774-2678 and the address is Customer Service, PO Box 34622, Seattle, WA 98124.
However, if your household has multiple accounts linked to multiple email addresses, you must submit a request for each account.
Does HIPAA apply to Costco?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, does apply to health information that Costco may collect.
You may be wondering – how will Costco get your health information? Well, don’t forget that many stores have full pharmacies that can prescribe and dispense vaccines.
Therefore, sensitive information that Costco will not disclose without patient consent is referred to as “PHI” or Protected Health Information.
Examples of PHI include:
- prescription
- Vision test results
- audiogram results
- Information is provided on the patient health history form
- family member’s health history
If you believe Costco has unlawfully disclosed your PIH, you may contact the Privacy Officer at 42-313-8347 or by email at healthcareprivacy@costco.com.
Does Costco sell your data?
Costco does sell some of the data it collects about its customers.
You can see on a helpful graph that personal identifiers, geolocation information and internet network activity information are all sold to “advertising, marketing and analytics providers”.
So Costco not only uses this information to learn more about its customers, but it also sells this data to other entities that can analyze it based on demographics.
Again, though: you can opt out! Costco has given you the right (before regulators have fully caught up with technology) to decide whether to sell your personal information.
Does Costco record your license plate number?
Costco uses Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) as a security measure to keep its parking lots safe for customers.
So yes, Costco does collect information, including license plates, which it uses to “detect, prevent, investigate, report, and resolve incidents or illegal activities…”
This is especially useful in store thefts, as it allows Costco to track criminals to their vehicles.
The employee can then collect the license plate number and give it to the police so the thief can be apprehended.
Unfortunately, if you’re uncomfortable with this, you’ll have to stop visiting Costco stores or shipping your groceries through Instacart.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on Costco shoplifting policy, Costco headquarters, and what Costco is.
in conclusion
For these types of things, Costco’s privacy policy isn’t too intrusive, and even better, the company allows its customers to opt out of data sales.
Unfortunately, until federal law fully catches up and addresses the real privacy concerns here, we rely on companies like Costco to act in our best interests and keep their customers’ information private.
