Concern as Arsenal harvest fans’ data
ARSENAL’S deal with tel Aviv-based company Konnecto has caused some comment at a time when data harvesting and online security of private information are hot topics.
Intelligence-based data collection and analysis platform Konnecto, run by ex-Israeli military staff, are one of six start-up companies that the club are partnering as part of an initiative to gain a deeper understanding of the Arsenal fanbase.
But concern has arisen following Arsenal and Konnecto running an online survey for fans in nigeria with a competition prize as an incentive.
For by signing up for the survey, fans agreed to let Konnecto trawl their data on social media at a highly sensitive time on the cyber front — collecting pictures and mentions of brands.
Data protection laws in europe meant that such an exercise would never be allowed but those regulations do not exist in nigeria. Arsenal say they chose the African country because of their strong fanbase there since Kanu played for them. A club spokesman added that it was a trial project and all those taking part had given permission for their data to be scrutinised.
Meanwhile, mystery still surrounds who is buying Arsenal shares for a record-breaking price of £37,000 when regulations mean the two major shareholders, Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov, would have to declare any extra purchases.
ADAM LALLANA’S family have indicated they will be in Russia for the World Cup if Lallana (right) makes Gareth Southgate’s squad after an injury-plagued season. However, they will not be travelling around hostile Russia in a camper van, as they did at Euro 2016 in France.
It Has emerged that Sky Sports failed to agree terms of a new contract with presenter natalie Sawyer because expectations differed over her role. It is understood she wanted more opportunities away from the autocue. Sky also have costcutting requirements throughout the business ahead of the mooted sale to Fox.
Meanwhile, Sawyer’s golf expert colleague Kirsty gallacher, daughter of Ryder Cup-winning captain Bernard gallacher, will be missing from the Masters in Augusta for a second year in a row.
But unlike last year, when upset Kirsty went on holiday, she will be presenting some of the Augusta coverage from Isleworth — the type of opportunity that Sawyer wanted in future.
TERRY BURWELL, former senior executive at the RFU who lost his job in a purge known as the night of the long knives carried out by short-lived CEO John Steele in 2011, will be making a welcome return to Twickenham as the council representative for Hampshire. At least Burwell is more interested in rugby issues than the constant supply of free booze on tap for the blazers at Twickenham.