Table of Contents
Introduction 2
Meta-Data in the Retail Industry 2
Negative Aspects 3
What Should Lawmakers Do? 4
Goals of Lawmakers 5
Possible Outcomes of Cybersecurity Regulations 5
Conclusion 6
References 7

Introduction
Meta-data can be described as ‘detailed data which describe other data to obtain a better understanding and achieve better quality of information’ (Beth Haugen, Herrin, Slivochka, McNeil Tolley, Warner, & Washington, 2013). Private companies harvest meta-data to create complex advertising campaigns (Yu, McLaughlin & Levy, 2014). We shall focus on the retail industry, and how companies use meta-data. We shall also discuss the cons if meta-data collection, the responsibility of lawmakers in regulating meta-data collection. Finally, we shall look at the possible effects of cybersecurity regulations of meta-data on the private industry.
Meta-Data in the Retail Industry An example of a popular retail store is Target. Target’s goal is to make it the go-to store for all merchandise, by providing great value, innovation, excellent customer service by adhering to their ‘Expect More. Pay Less.’ promise (Target, 2015). Collecting meta-data about customers helps Target to achieve its goal by creating detailed clients profiles, accurate product suggestions, and a quicker online product search and checkout (Milian, 2014). Target uses meta-data from social media to address its innovation goal, by judging the consumers’ reactions to its designer partnerships (Thau, 2014). Another retailer that employs meta-data is Sears Holdings. Sears combines data from its brands; Sears, Craftsman, and Lands’ End, to personalize its advertisement. By using meta-data, it is able to cut down the time it would have spent to study a client’s shopping habits, and offer relevant coupons based on predictive analysis (McAfee &Bryjolfsson, 2012). This saves