It has to be said that it's an artful word used for getting rid of annoying consumers, journalists, and privacy advocates in emails, and other written communications because it sounds formal, and suggests to the recipient that potential legal consequences exist for those who continue to be inquisitive and seek answers to their questions.
But in reality, it is just an overused word, commonly deployed as a deflector by officials who don't care, don't understand or worse know that their employer has something to hide from the public!
When it comes to consumer privacy and data security, there are no legitimate 'proprietary' techniques for collecting, collating and disseminating consumer's personally identifiable information without their knowledge and consent. And this includes sharing their name, address and phone number with third parties.
Below are two definitions of the word 'proprietary' shown on the Merriam-Webster Dictionary website:
1: One that possesses, owns or holds an exclusive right to something; specifically.
2: Something that is used produced, or marketed under exclusive legal right of the inventor or maker; specifically: a drug (as a patent medicine) that is protected by secrecy, patent, or copyright against free competition as to name, product, composition, or process of manufacture.
The fact is when you provide a bank, supermarket or hospital with your personally identifiable information; you are not giving them the right to own and use your personal data as they see fit forever. You are merely entrusting them with your information in order for them to identify you and better serve you as a customer or patient in the future.
It's that simple.
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