How Much Does Google, Facebook and Yahoo Know About You?

[1492]

Tonight on PBS, part-two of United States of Secrets on Frontline looks at the "...relationship between Silicon Valley and the National Security Agency." You can find local listing for stations here.

Frontline is one of my favorite PBS programs by WGBH Boston. I've worked with WGBH in the past on American Experience, and believe they produce some of the best programming. Frontline has also collaborated on stories with ProPublica, which currently has an article on Privacy Tools: Encrypt What You Can.

[wa8yxm]

Well, Some of them may know my card numbers (or not) but,, As for name, address, dob and SSN...

I lie

[milo]

If somebody tries to steal my identity, their in for a rude awaking. They couldn't get diddly squat off my info.

[SRT]

oldtrojan66 wrote:
I'm just smacked by the irony of all the hype about protecting privacy (like the HIPPA program in hospitals) when there is NO privacy anywhere. Its not just the military or NSA that has access to our deepest secrets, but the internet itself has lain us bare for all the world to see. Information has a cost, even if it's free!

Yup, just imagine if the gov't really got control of the internet??? :E

[stickdog]

I use one credit card only for fuel and beer, my insurance company hasn't dropped me.

[Campfire_Time]

sue.t wrote:

Campfire Time wrote:
Do you use credit cards?

Only in an emergency if there isn't enough cash on hand. It is a plain Jane card, doesn't collect any points for anything. No annual fee for it either.

It only takes occasional use to build a profile. Based on where you live and what kind of car you own, they already know your income range. You use the Internet, and despite the fact that you don't use a "real" name on forums, it wouldn't take much to find out more about you. What I'm saying is that unless you go off grid completely, you have no privacy. Privacy is a myth.

[Campfire_Time]

bigdogger wrote:
It's all just part of the grand scheme to help the rich get richer. Some shmuck at the cube farm has all my information and turns on my webcam right when I am climbing into the shower and gets to see the banana show. Now the cube farmer needs lasik and cataract surgery and probably a few years of intense counseling. Advantage eye doctors and psychologists.

Why do you have a web cam in your bathroom?

[oldtrojan66]

I'm just smacked by the irony of all the hype about protecting privacy (like the HIPPA program in hospitals) when there is NO privacy anywhere. Its not just the military or NSA that has access to our deepest secrets, but the internet itself has lain us bare for all the world to see. Information has a cost, even if it's free!

[sue_t]

Campfire Time wrote:
Do you use credit cards?

Only in an emergency if there isn't enough cash on hand. It is a plain Jane card, doesn't collect any points for anything. No annual fee for it either.

[Campfire_Time]

sue.t wrote:


Yup, you bet, I don't subscribe to any point or award programs.

Do you use credit cards?

[sue_t]

Well, gosh, most folks sign on for those point programs so they get discounts or free stuff. But those programs track your purchases. People think it's free, but you're paying with the data about what you buy and when, and the value of your purchases.

These have become so detailed that your individual grocery items can be tracked.

Yup, you bet, I don't subscribe to any point or award programs.

[BroncosFan]

1492
Washington, DC

In own investigating and talking with different any tips on what can be done for folks like your mom with the SS is out there used by all those people. Can you help her apply for a new SS or anything else after the fact? On those 5 folks you tracked down, did anything happen to them as a result of being found out? Thanks.

[Campfire_Time]

BroncosFan wrote:
"I worked in the Direct Mail Advertising industry for 15 years"

Opt Out Instructions for your old buddies:
Acxiom
Datalogix
Epsilon
BlueKai

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/02/howto-opt-out-databrokers-showing-your-targeted-advertisements...

That's a nice feel good. Its the proverbial Ostriches sticking their heads in the sand thinking they are hiding. The opt out just means that they filter you out for mailings. Don't be under any illusions. The data about you is still collected and maintained. See above links about Target's use of that data.

[BroncosFan]

"I worked in the Direct Mail Advertising industry for 15 years"

Opt Out Instructions for your old buddies:
Acxiom
Datalogix
Epsilon
BlueKai

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/02/howto-opt-out-databrokers-showing-your-targeted-advertisements...

[Campfire_Time]

I find it interesting that people are getting so worked about this. The day we started using credit cards, companies were collecting information about us. We lost our privacy before many of us were even born.

There are algorithms that can take "scrubbed" databases and match it back to names, addresses, etc.

Read up on Target sending ads directed at pregnant women to a teenager who's father didn't even know yet.

Target advertises to pregnant teen

More...

I worked in the Direct Mail Advertising industry for 15 years. Retailers maintain a shocking amount of data on every and they've been doing long before Google or the Internet ever came on the scene.