Aunt Vovi

Same at Planet Money, or PM, as we sometimes call it.

Same at Planet Money, or PM, as we sometimes call it.

Same at Planet Money, or PM, as we sometimes call it.

The ToySmart case had established some rough guidelines for these situations. But in subsequent cases, it became clear that no one in the bankruptcy system really had the expertise or incentives to dedicate themselves to, you know, scrutinizing the privacy implications of selling any particular kind of customer data.

The ToySmart case had established some rough guidelines for these situations. But in subsequent cases, it became clear that no one in the bankruptcy system really had the expertise or incentives to dedicate themselves to, you know, scrutinizing the privacy implications of selling any particular kind of customer data.

The ToySmart case had established some rough guidelines for these situations. But in subsequent cases, it became clear that no one in the bankruptcy system really had the expertise or incentives to dedicate themselves to, you know, scrutinizing the privacy implications of selling any particular kind of customer data.

Since the position was created, CPOs have been brought into dozens of bankruptcies involving the sale of customer data, from the Circuit City bankruptcy to General Motors to Borders Books.

Since the position was created, CPOs have been brought into dozens of bankruptcies involving the sale of customer data, from the Circuit City bankruptcy to General Motors to Borders Books.

Since the position was created, CPOs have been brought into dozens of bankruptcies involving the sale of customer data, from the Circuit City bankruptcy to General Motors to Borders Books.

It was in fact about a third of the U.S. population whose personal data RadioShack was proposing to sell. An ombudsman named Elise Fraka was brought in to evaluate privacy concerns, and the plan she came up with did end up making a big difference.

It was in fact about a third of the U.S. population whose personal data RadioShack was proposing to sell. An ombudsman named Elise Fraka was brought in to evaluate privacy concerns, and the plan she came up with did end up making a big difference.

It was in fact about a third of the U.S. population whose personal data RadioShack was proposing to sell. An ombudsman named Elise Fraka was brought in to evaluate privacy concerns, and the plan she came up with did end up making a big difference.

So this is an example of the CPO system kind of pushing back against the initial proposal to sell this huge swath of customer data. Exactly. Now, some critics have argued that the consumer protection the CPO really offers is mostly performative. CPOs are generally brought in at the tail end of the bankruptcy process after a prospective buyer has already been chosen.

So this is an example of the CPO system kind of pushing back against the initial proposal to sell this huge swath of customer data. Exactly. Now, some critics have argued that the consumer protection the CPO really offers is mostly performative. CPOs are generally brought in at the tail end of the bankruptcy process after a prospective buyer has already been chosen.

So this is an example of the CPO system kind of pushing back against the initial proposal to sell this huge swath of customer data. Exactly. Now, some critics have argued that the consumer protection the CPO really offers is mostly performative. CPOs are generally brought in at the tail end of the bankruptcy process after a prospective buyer has already been chosen.

They're often given as little as seven days to do their research and submit a report to the court. And their recommendations to the bankruptcy judge are just recommendations. They are non-binding.

They're often given as little as seven days to do their research and submit a report to the court. And their recommendations to the bankruptcy judge are just recommendations. They are non-binding.

They're often given as little as seven days to do their research and submit a report to the court. And their recommendations to the bankruptcy judge are just recommendations. They are non-binding.

So in a lot of cases, a bankrupt company's creditors, the people who are owed money, they don't necessarily want the CPO because it might mean a smaller payout for them. And the bankrupt company itself often doesn't want a CPO because it could slow down the sale process and make their portfolio of assets less valuable to potential buyers.

So in a lot of cases, a bankrupt company's creditors, the people who are owed money, they don't necessarily want the CPO because it might mean a smaller payout for them. And the bankrupt company itself often doesn't want a CPO because it could slow down the sale process and make their portfolio of assets less valuable to potential buyers.