I don’t want Big Brother at my McDonald’s

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 03: A general view of atmosphere during the opening weekend of 'Blind Dragon Chicago' located inside FOUND Hotel Chicago, with bites by McDonald’s on August 3, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for McDonald's)
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 03: A general view of atmosphere during the opening weekend of 'Blind Dragon Chicago' located inside FOUND Hotel Chicago, with bites by McDonald’s on August 3, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for McDonald's)

McDonald’s is now testing out technology that will allow the chain to know what you want to order before you even order.

Soon, you could be rolling up to a McDonald’s drive-thru menu board, and before you can even utter a sentence, your order shows up on the screen.

How did they know you wanted the No. 1 with a Fanta Orange? That’s because you ordered it yesterday, and a few days before that. What you have developed, the confused customer, is a pattern, and this pattern has allowed McDonald’s to know what you want before you even know what you want.

Big Brother at its finest.

Thankfully, that isn’t in the offering yet, but McD Tech Labs, the chain that creates and tests out the new technology, is working on a way to do that, and we should be a bit concerned. Look, AI (artificial intelligence for the tech-deprived) is a coming force in the fast-food world, we all know that.

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However, I don’t know if I would like it so much for McDonald’s to have my order, just like I get squeamish for someone I don’t know to have my phone number. I don’t have a personal relationship with McDonald’s, so why in the world would I entrust them with my precious order.

Maybe I don’t want the Big Mac on that day. Maybe, just maybe, I (and my wallet) are in the mood for a McChicken or regular cheeseburger with a “water cup?” Then I have to worry, what if that develops a “pattern?” What if, whenever I go to any McDonald’s, they’ll assume (or know) that I’m broke and order that same meal?

That’s the problem with McDonald’s going “Big Brother” on us. It’s all fine-and-dandy to not go through the external exercise of having to say your order, but know this — on those consecutive days you need two McChickens and a “water cup,” know that Big Ronald is watching and knowing.

That’s some truly scary stuff.

What do you think of McDonald’s potentially going Big Brother on us and knowing our order before we even think about it? Do you think this technology is wanted or needed? Tell us what you think in the comments.