Final answer:
The notion that customer personal information can be freely shared and becomes public knowledge is false. Businesses have an ethical and legal responsibility to protect customer data and ensure its confidentiality.
Step-by-step explanation:
When it comes to handling personal information provided by customers, it's crucial to maintain confidentiality. The statement that any personal information a customer gives you becomes public knowledge and you may share it with other sales associates is false. This is a fundamental principle of data protection and privacy in businesses and various other professional contexts.
With the increasing concern over personal data protection, as reflected in surveys by organizations like the Pew Research Center, individuals expect the information they share, especially online, to remain private and not be exposed or shared without consent. Businesses need to be vigilant and ethically responsible in safeguarding personal information against unauthorized access, scams, and identity theft.
Protocols should be in place to ensure that personal information is only shared on a need-to-know basis within the organization, and with the explicit consent of the customer. It's also essential for employees to be aware of and understand the privacy rights of customers, and the importance of reading privacy policies and collecting only the minimum necessary information. Measures to protect this data include regular monitoring of credit history and being judicious about the information one provides.