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The GDPR is now in effect. This is an attempt (mostly good) to give people control over their personal data. Specifically, companies must ask you to opt-in to data collection, and you have the right to opt-out at any time.
Of course, too many companies are trying to abuse the situation. For example, I received several notices with an "accept" option that would opt-in to more ads, newsletters or data collection than I had before. I was particularly annoyed by the new Sonos privacy policy. It states that not opting-in to their full data collection means that your Sonos products will no longer work. Which, of course, makes no sense at all - there's no reason why a loudspeaker needs to send my music listening habits to the mothership.
This is an example of a practice called "forced consent", and is explicitly forbidden by the GDPR. Max Schrems, an Austrian attorney and privacy expert, has gone to war on exactly this kind of abuse. Just minutes after the GDPR came into effect, he filed separate complaints against Google, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp - all of which have similar forced-consent policies: opt-in or you cannot use their products.
Schrem's efforts are funded through noyb.eu (none of your business), which is a crowdfunded platform and organization that works for privacy rights online.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 24 2018, @01:28PM (4 children)
Well, I do have things to hide... like who I do business with... because I know good and well information like that will be used to ensnare both me and my business partner in misunderstandings over who got paid while the perp runs off with the loot.
Example... right now, should I get a letter in the mail from AT&T, no matter how urgent the letter is marked, I know I do not have to heed it. I do not do any business with them. Its only something to try to buy their package, when they have already demonstrated to me all I will get from them is hot air, and yet more offers.
If I get email from someone I do business with, I will read it, and will try to work with them... and if the information gets out who I do business with, I may well be phished, and the perp profits handsomely by misdirecting payments.
I don't want the days I leave the house to be public knowledge either, given how many homeless are rummaging through my neighborhood these days.
Nor do I want my banking credentials public.
Am I trying to hide anything? Yes!!!! For nefarious purposes? No... I need this privacy for my own protection!
If my Government forces me to reveal all my cards like this, are they prepared to protect me from all those others which will gladly use that info to defraud me? How will they do this? Instantiate Sharia Law? Somebody phishes me and *they* hunt him down and cut off his hands so he can't use a keyboard anymore? Keep 'em all penned up in feeding centers with tubing running into their mouths and out of their ass because they can no longer care for themselves?
(Score: 2) by takyon on Sunday June 24 2018, @01:33PM
*Institute
These days you don't even need to be in the same country as the person you want to defraud.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Sunday June 24 2018, @03:54PM (2 children)
I argued Google around and around. Remember when they wanted everyone to prove who they were? I got a warning that my account would be suspended and/or deleted because I wasn't using a "real identity". I was asked repeatedly to verify my identity. As I recall, this all started soon after G+ kicked off. I think that was the particular program for which they demanded verified identities.
I finally told them that I'm a mature man, and that in my lifetime I have created enemies. I wasn't willing to publicize my real identity, because one evening, I would come home to be greeted by an executioner.
That last argument put a stop to their demands, and my account was never suspended.
In reality, I fear a hitman as much as I fear one of my own dogs attacking me - possible, but so unlikely, I can't waste time considering it. I haven't made THAT KIND of enemies, lol! (or, have I?)
(Score: 1) by jelizondo on Sunday June 24 2018, @04:06PM
Easy, publish your real address and find out!
(Score: 2) by frojack on Monday June 25 2018, @02:02AM
I never told them anything.
I simply ignored Google+.
I never had any arguments with them at all.
THEY are the only ones who have anything to lose here. Certainly not me.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.