Your Data Is Being Collected

[Jim Koepke]

Reading today’s paper has me thinking of unplugging my computers and becoming a ‘Sofa Spud.’ It all started while reading about the hack of a web site hosting company. Following links to "related articles" got me wondering, What's Going On?

Then there was this > https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/31/think-youre-anonymous-online-third-popular-websites-are-fingerprinting-you/

And this > https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/06/21/google-chrome-has-become-surveillance-software-its-time-switch/

And this > https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/05/06/alexa-has-been-eavesdropping-you-this-whole-time/

Not only that these articles have links to other articles about how “our data” is being collected and used by others to impress their will upon our lives.

At least a few states are following California’s lead and legislating to make it possible to get out of the grip of “data collectors” and there nefarious intentions.

jtk

[Jeff Roltgen]

So many popups on the first link, I could hardly read it! How hysterically ironic!

I agree - seems many of us, over age 50 in my case, who grew into the internet, smart phones and all manner of new electronics quite enthusiastically for several decades are now watching the whole thing turning into a garbage hole. Seems a majority of us are not able to see past the wool of "convenience" being traded off for a very ugly invasion of privacy and flat out manipulation.

Thank goodness there's a few places, such as Sawmill Creek, that are still used for basically what the internet was intended for in the first place:
Connection with those who's experiences and knowledge serve to run a business or in this case, help a group of random people, for no other reason than good companionship and a general sense of decency and camaraderie.
This is the American Spirit I embrace, and thanks to all who keep the few great places like this forum alive and well!

[Barry McFadden]

Shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that data is being collected.... every time you shop or search something online adds pop up the next time your online for the same thing you were looking at the day before...

[Jim Koepke]

Maybe someone will create an app to run searches when people are away from their computers that will mess up our "collected data" with nonsense.

jtk

[Ken Fitzgerald]

When you watch a show on cable television it's tracked and data in the form of conclusions are developed. I don't know if the same is true for satellite broadcast shows but I suspect it is. The question is with whom are they sharing it and for what purpose?

[Jim Koepke]

When you watch a show on cable television it's tracked and data in the form of conclusions are developed. I don't know if the same is true for satellite broadcast shows but I suspect it is. The question is with whom are they sharing it and for what purpose?

This was from the beginning of cable. The early legislation required cable companies to have an ability to carry bi-directional communications.

They didn't at the time need to provide bi-directional signals, just the capability.

Now that is used for many things. It is how shows can be rated and even which areas of the country are more likely to be watching which programs.

Netflix DVD and streaming even have lists of what people are watching in my locality.

George Orwell knew we would be watched. He didn't know we would be footing the bill for those watching us.

jtk

[Stan Calow]

They used to do that with the Nielsen ratings boxes that would track what you watch, so the concept is not knew, and its apparent people are more than willing to give up privacy in exchange for some discount coupons. It ain't big brother, its big business and if someone is buying, someone is selling.

[Jim Koepke]

While searching through various information on this one link led to another and this one came up > http://www.offbeatoregon.com/o1109c-astoria-man-invents-cable-tv-as-favor-for-wife.html

An interesting story, some of the links on the side of the page can really lead one to the "offbeat stories of Oregon."

jtk

[Doug Garson]

I hear lots of talk about this topic, everyone is worried about their data being collected. Other than annoying ads popping up based on their search history, has anyone actually been harmed by this data collection? Maybe big brother is watching or more likely big business, but what data are you afraid they will find?

[Jim Koepke]

I hear lots of talk about this topic, everyone is worried about their data being collected. Other than annoying ads popping up based on their search history, has anyone actually been harmed by this data collection? Maybe big brother is watching or more likely big business, but what data are you afraid they will find?

If part of the data collection is financial information, SS#, driver's license, medical records etc, it could be problematic if a data collector's system is breached.

Some of this data, especially for younger people, could end up influencing human resource people. A hacker might be able to introduce manipulated data to cause someone not to be considered for employment.

For a retired person, that isn't much of a threat.

jtk

[Aaron Rosenthal]

Jim, for those of us out of the job search age, I have news for you. Everything your kids/grand-kids post on-line IS being tracked. And not just by our "benign' service providers.
Our (I'm Canadian and have no illusions) governments are tracking every thing we do. They love debit and credit cards; they can track our incomes to assess us. Cash payments? If you try and bank it, the banks can report it.
It's not just our systems.
Tic-Tok the popular app most teens use - the servers are in China under the Chinese government eyes. There's no privacy there. At least Facebook is banned there (small comfort).
Facial recognition (used by most security agencies to "keep us safe from terrorism") is everywhere.
Do I remember you just bought a new truck? All those computer chip in the Nav. systems, Ford knows where you are, police have back doors into your location .....forget about privacy.

[Jim Koepke]

Do I remember you just bought a new truck? All those computer chip in the Nav. systems, Ford knows where you are, police have back doors into your location .....forget about privacy.

Yes, though it is a Chevy.

This reminds me of one of the stories of how Bin Laden beat the CIA (or whomever was) tracking him. He had someone else traveling a different route carry his satellite phone.

It would be easy to have someone take one's vehicle and credit card to use at some restaurant miles away from where one was committing a nefarious act. Technology could provide an alibi. Of course with all the security cameras in public places one would also have to use a mask akin to those used on Mission Impossible programs and movies.

Supposedly some retailers are already using facial recognition software to identify customers in their retail outlets. Imagine if they could link in to your internet searches to see if they could determine what you might be seeking.

Try a search on > retailers using facial recognition < It surprised me one retailer previously known to use facial recognition didn't pop up.

It seems some are changing their ways due to backlash.

jtk

[Kev Williams]

As bad as you/we may think all this data-tracking is, it can't hold a candle to 'actual' tracking. Example: back in the '70's I used to write letters to the newspaper. That is, right up until the day the paper printed a 'religious themed' rebuttal of mine to a previous writer. I was awakened then next morning with my house surrounded by dozens of idiots arguing with each other, and me, half of which wanted to know where I got off voicing my opinion against THEIR church, the other half fighting each other to be the first in line to sign me up with THEIR church. I'm here to tell you THAT was some scary crap going on! And they all found me because I was in the phone book. By the end of the day I had a new UNLISTED/UNPUBLISHED phone number and I've never written another letter-to-an-editor since.

Not so funny irony: conspiracy theorists would have you believe that 'the guvment' are or will send 'their people' to your home to force their will upon you. Yet, this same group of people can't help themselves from running roughshod thru a pizza joint, guns blazing, to take down a non-existent pedophile ring, or from storming state capitals while fully armed, or storming the US Capital intent on overturning an election and hanging the Vice President for good measure, or the latest craze, showing up fully armed at the homes of various state Election Officials and Secretary's of State with threats of violence and certain death....

Data-tracking- for now anyway- is so far down my 'worry scale' it simply doesn't matter to me. Actual 'can't fix stupid' people are another story...

[Scott Winners]

Netflix at least uses the data on the shows that get watched to come up with more similar shows that will also (hopefully) get watched. My wife and I are watching an ever shrinking slice of the shows netflix puts online...

[Richard Hart]

Pay site, don't bother.

[Richard Hart]

While searching through various information on this one link led to another and this one came up > http://www.offbeatoregon.com/o1109c-astoria-man-invents-cable-tv-as-favor-for-wife.html

jtk

Neat story!

[Perry Hilbert Jr]

Reading today’s paper has me thinking of unplugging my computers and becoming a ‘Sofa Spud.’ It all started while reading about the hack of a web site hosting company. Following links to "related articles" got me wondering, What's Going On?

Then there was this > https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/31/think-youre-anonymous-online-third-popular-websites-are-fingerprinting-you/

And this > https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/06/21/google-chrome-has-become-surveillance-software-its-time-switch/

And this > https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/05/06/alexa-has-been-eavesdropping-you-this-whole-time/

Not only that these articles have links to other articles about how “our data” is being collected and used by others to impress their will upon our lives.

At least a few states are following California’s lead and legislating to make it possible to get out of the grip of “data collectors” and there nefarious intentions.

jtk


I once used my office computer to look up some things on the internet. The next day On my home computer, a list of people I might know to become "friends with" on facebook, included people I had sued for clients over the years. Mining my computer files for people's ID's was way beyond cool. I now have a new office computer and never use it to go on the internet.

[Richard Hart]

So many popups on the first link, I could hardly read it! How hysterically ironic!

I agree - seems many of us, over age 50 in my case, who grew into the internet, smart phones and all manner of new electronics quite enthusiastically for several decades are now watching the whole thing turning into a garbage hole. Seems a majority of us are not able to see past the wool of "convenience" being traded off for a very ugly invasion of privacy and flat out manipulation.

Thank goodness there's a few places, such as Sawmill Creek, that are still used for basically what the internet was intended for in the first place:
Connection with those who's experiences and knowledge serve to run a business or in this case, help a group of random people, for no other reason than good companionship and a general sense of decency and camaraderie.
This is the American Spirit I embrace, and thanks to all who keep the few great places like this forum alive and well!

Exactly... I'm in my 60's, very much a techie, and give me the days of the early wild wild west Internet, nothing censored, Usenet free with your email client, and none of this security crap-just simple passwords without having my most hated thing: two step authentication. Pain in the balls.
Now to be honest I'm getting sick of it except this and various other forums. Takes longer to sign into sites now than it does to do your task. Except for the forums and the usual haunts looking for old radios, vintage tools, and paying bills, I don't use it like I did even a couple years ago.

[Curt Harms]

I hear lots of talk about this topic, everyone is worried about their data being collected. Other than annoying ads popping up based on their search history, has anyone actually been harmed by this data collection? Maybe big brother is watching or more likely big business, but what data are you afraid they will find?

I'm not certain this happened - I think it did. Do you suppose that German and Polish Jews in the 19th - early 20th century thought twice when registering a newborn, declaring the religion/ethnicity? Think those records were useful to the ethnic cleansing squads that followed the German army? This to me is a reason to limit collection of personal data. At least make 'em work for it. Collected data may not be used for anything as bad as who to kill but it could be used for things like who to employ, we want people that think like us after all. Or who gets what kind of medical treatment.

[Jeff Roltgen]

The "what have you got to hide?" question falls on deaf ears for those of us who firmly believe in our right to privacy.*
As this question is posed, it can be interpreted as an accusation - an attempt to hang a badge of presumed guilt on the one being questioned.

But, in the interest of being completely thorough, I will answer that question: "absolutely nothing to hide here, I just value my dignity"



*Read the 4th amendment to the constitution to find out where we get this idea.

[Alex Zeller]

If this bothers you then what the Democrats (not trying to be political) are trying to do with making banks report to the IRS any transaction over $600 should scare you. Most people make more than that a week. Once one agency has the information it's much easier for another to get it vs going to court to force a bank to turn it over. Information is power. Those who know how to use it will sooner or later abuse it.

[Doug Garson]

I'm not certain this happened - I think it did. Do you suppose that German and Polish Jews in the 19th - early 20th century thought twice when registering a newborn, declaring the religion/ethnicity? Think those records were useful to the ethnic cleansing squads that followed the German army? This to me is a reason to limit collection of personal data. At least make 'em work for it. Collected data may not be used for anything as bad as who to kill but it could be used for things like who to employ, we want people that think like us after all. Or who gets what kind of medical treatment.
Not sure I see the link between second World war era atrocities and current day data collection. So far I haven't heard any example of someone being harmed by the data collection, just hypothetical suggestions of what might happen. I'm not suggesting it can't happen, just wondering if anyone has an example of it actually happening.

[Jim Koepke]

If this bothers you then what the Democrats (not trying to be political) are trying to do with making banks report to the IRS any transaction over $600 should scare you. Most people make more than that a week.

Currently if you have earnings it is reported to the IRS for withholding purposes. In my years of employment one thing learned is bureaucracies love paperwork. The more paperwork the more people to handle it, guaranteed employment for life.


Not sure I see the link between second World war era atrocities and current day data collection. So far I haven't heard any example of someone being harmed by the data collection, just hypothetical suggestions of what might happen. I'm not suggesting it can't happen, just wondering if anyone has an example of it actually happening.

Does data end where stupidity begins?

You haven't heard of people loosing their jobs over social media accounts?

There have been problems with facial recognition systems causing problems for people with no connection to the incident for which they were arrested and held.

Incorrect data in one's credit report has cost some folks problems with potential employers.

jtk

[Lee DeRaud]

I'm always a bit bemused by people who expect Google to give them information for free (or at least track it down for them), and then complain when Google does something with the incidental information it gathers in the process.

The key phrase in all of this is "expectation of privacy", and for 99.9999% of the Internet, no such thing exists.

[Doug Garson]

Currently if you have earnings it is reported to the IRS for withholding purposes. In my years of employment one thing learned is bureaucracies love paperwork. The more paperwork the more people to handle it, guaranteed employment for life.



Does data end where stupidity begins?

You haven't heard of people loosing their jobs over social media accounts?

There have been problems with facial recognition systems causing problems for people with no connection to the incident for which they were arrested and held.

Incorrect data in one's credit report has cost some folks problems with potential employers.

jtk
I have heard of people losing jobs because of what they publicly posted on social media, what's that got to do with data collection? Isn't that just making people accountable for their actions?

[Doug Garson]

I'm always a bit bemused by people who expect Google to give them information for free (or at least track it down for them), and then complain when Google does something with the incidental information it gathers in the process.

The key phrase in all of this is "expectation of privacy", and for 99.9999% of the Internet, no such thing exists.
Good point. I bet if there was a premium version of Google where you paid for the service in return for complete privacy that most of the people that complain about Google snooping on them wouldn't pay the premium.

[Curt Harms]

Not sure I see the link between second World war era atrocities and current day data collection. So far I haven't heard any example of someone being harmed by the data collection, just hypothetical suggestions of what might happen. I'm not suggesting it can't happen, just wondering if anyone has an example of it actually happening.

Once data is in a database, there's no assurance of how it may be used in the future. Better to keep data out of databases where practical and legal.

[Robert Engel]

Does a VPN counter this?

[Jim Koepke]

I have heard of people losing jobs because of what they publicly posted on social media, what's that got to do with data collection? Isn't that just making people accountable for their actions?

One of the side effects of data collection is everything becomes data. A comment made in response to an article published online can end up in your data files.

Something foolish posted online has not only led to the arrest of many people, data miners have probably included it in their individual data files.

Those ones and zeros can paint you as one thing or another which may or may not fit into the mold of a potential employer or private club.

The crude data mining of today often gives me a clue as to what my wife has been shopping for online via the ads displayed when reading news articles and such.

We are living in a strange new world…

jtk