Forum Discussion

Explorer

May 22, 2018

email privacy

I realize internet privacy issues have been discussed before... I've always felt relatively immune because I do most my surfing with Firefox, I don't sign in to Google, and I don't belong to Facebook. With my phone it's another matter - every app I run I am signed in so they know what I'm doing.

I've had the same AOL email address since 1994 and yesterday I got this message:

New Privacy and Terms

You appear to be a (United States - English) user. If this is not correct, please select the option that applies to you from this list:

AOL is now part of Oath, the media and tech company behind today’s top news, sports and entertainment sites and apps.

By choosing “I accept” below, you agree to Oath’s new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Below is a summary of some of the key updates. To learn more about our approach to privacy, click here.
How we collect and use data.

We’ve updated some of the ways we collect and analyze user data in order to deliver services, content, relevant advertising and abuse protection.
This includes: analyzing content and information when you use our services (including emails, instant messages, posts, photos, attachments, and other communications), linking your activity on other sites and apps with information we have about you, and providing anonymized and/or aggregated reports to other parties regarding user trends.

Combining data.

We also combine data among our services and across your devices. This will provide you with better personalized services and features across your devices and Oath accounts.

Tampering with US Mail is a federal offense. Why isn't email treated the same way? And why is all this privacy invasion considered acceptable?

I guess I should be asking if there is a different way to do email than through these data collection companies....

27 Replies

T18skyguy
Explorer
May 22, 2018
If you would like more email privacy you need to pay for it. Go to Hushmail.com They also offer email alias so you keep your main email address for only those you want to have it. It's worth the money in my opinion.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
May 22, 2018
A lot of that type of email comes from outside the US, so why would they even care if email was protected by our laws?
shum02
Explorer
May 22, 2018
Unless you and the party you are sending it to use encryption consider your email read. That is a fact not a probability. AI programs pore through your email every day, the .gov's do it.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
May 22, 2018
pasusan wrote:

Tampering with US Mail is a federal offense.

But....publishing your ADDRESS is not illegal.

In fact, the DMVs in a LOT of states (all ?) sells lists of the addresses of vehicle owners.

That is physical addresses. I see no reason that they wouldn't also sell your email address.....if you give it to them.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
May 22, 2018
email privacy. that title is an oxymoron.
bumpy
Mortimer_Brewst
Explorer II
May 22, 2018
I was given this advice a long time ago when email first gained popularity:
“When you write an email, think of it as a postcard. If you wouldn’t put it on a postcard, don’t put it in the email.”
If you are using the internet, it’s difficult to avoid data collection. I try to avoid posting any information that would be useful to anyone engaging in identity theft. For example, I never give my real birthdate when requested. Clear cookies occasionally and keep in mind that there are millions and millions of people out there in the same situation.
Tyler0215
Explorer
May 22, 2018
Never send an e-mail you don't want the world to read.
Why would you think that any e-mail is private?
Once you send it, it's out there somewhere.