Towards a National Opt-in Policy

On this side (Western) of the Atlantic Ocean, personal information is monitized and sold/rented with little regard for the privacy of the real owner of that information. Data brokers, banks, insurance companies, mortgage companies, universities, web sites, social networks, and merchants — to name a few — provide your personal information to their “affiliates” and customers, for money or other consideration, without your knowledge or permission. In some instances, you can opt-out, but it’s your responsibility to figure out how to do this. If a particular organization allows you to opt-out, you are on your own to contact each and every one of the “affiliates” to whom they have provided your information, to opt-out from them as well — if the “affiliates” allow you to do so at all. If you think that the playing field is tilted in favor of those who profit by selling your personal information, you are correct. It’s all about the money.

If you believe that your privacy should be yours, and not a commodity to be bought and sold, contact your elected officials. Tell them that you demand a national opt-in policy, where you are in control of how and when your personal information is used. It needs to be all about your privacy, not about the money.

Craig Herberg

Online Web Snoops

An article, in the Wall Street Journal, titled Firm Mines Offline Data To Target Online Ads details how a database marketing firm mates public records, survey information, and tracking cookies secretly placed on people’s computers, to sell this tracking information to web marketers wishing to display targeted ads on your computer. If you think this sounds a bit like a toilet paper company putting a hidden camera in your bathroom, so they can offer to sell their product when you run low, you are not far off the mark. Should you be concerned? Absolutely! Is there anything you can do about it? Yes!

In Internet Explorer, click on Tools — Internet Options — Privacy. You can either set the privacy level to Medium or higher — up to Block All Cookies, or you could click on Advanced, and check Override automatic cookie handling, and Block first party cookies and third party cookies, then check Always allow session cookies. This last option should allow you to login to your bank or brokerage. You may want to experiment a bit. While you are at it, under the General tab of Internet Options, (assuming Internet Explorer 7) you can click on Delete — Delete all. Please be aware that doing so will delete all cookies, form data and passwords that Internet Explorer has stored on your computer. This may cause you some inconvenience, but will help protect your online privacy.

Taking these precautions will make it impractical for marketers to monetize your online privacy. While you’re still outraged, why don’t you write to your congressperson and request legislation to protect your privacy?

Just How Free is that “Free” giftcard?

Occasionally, I hear from clients who are upset about the sudden increase of unwanted email shortly after they sign up for a “free” giftcard. Let’s take a look and see just how free that giftcard is. On one web site, there is a link labeled, “Take survey/Gift Card,” which leads to another web site, with an offer to complete a short questionnaire for a chance to win a giftcard. It couldn’t be easier! Agree to their terms of service, provide your email address and year of birth, and get ready to take the survey. Next, provide basic biographic/demographic information, such as name, date of birth, address, telephone number, gender, marital status, employment status, occupation, etc., and you’re on your way. Wait a minute. That’s a lot of information they are asking for. Perhaps it’s time to take a look at their privacy policy. As is frequently the case, this particular vendor shares personal information with third-party marketers. Of course, you are free to “opt-out” at any time, but must “opt-out” separately with the third-party marketers with whom they have shared your information. Oh, and by the way, they cannot vouch for the privacy policies of those with whom they have shared your information.

Now may be a good time to look into a good spam filter or another email address.

Craig Herberg