posted on August 11, 2001 04:25:54 PM new
Privacy advocates are bracing for a signal that beleaguered online ad network Engage plans to dump its media business, promising to protest any potential sale that would transfer ownership of the company's extensive database of anonymous consumer profiles.
Privacy advocates are concerned that if the company were to sell off its media business, its roughly 88 million profiles containing consumer habits on the Web would be sold alongside it.
The warnings highlight how privacy concerns have become a thorn in the side of distressed dot-coms, some of which have attempted to trade on consumer data in the past. Last year, Disney-backed Toysmart came under fire for trying to sell its customer lists. Many companies such as Toysmart have tried to sell data collected on consumers as a last-ditch effort to recoup losses.
Of course, it's probably safe to assume that none of the online auction management companies will ever go out of business, so I suppose there's no need for concern.
Exactly. Very well stated. We're talking here about getting someone's name and address. Something VERY EASY to get, even if your phone number is unlisted. It's not like we're asking for anything that could not be easily obtained.
And to the person that thinks that because they are not in the white pages they can't be found on the internet, I bet if you gave my mom your first and last name, she could find out more about you in a day than even you know about yourself and your family. There are THOUSANDS of geneaological databases with millions of names, addresses, dates of birth, ancestors, descendants, etc.
If you live in the United States or most other developed countries, there is no such thing as total anonymity.
The point is, if someone really wants to defraud you, they can do it without you supplying your name and address to a 3rd party auction service. ANY seller could be out there just collecting names and addresses for their diabolical purposes. Entering your name and address into a third party auction management system that only uses demographic information is not going to aid a real thief. In fact, I would think that a dishonest person would be more apt to not use such a service because then their actions could be traced if necessary.
Now here is a poll question:
Has anyone reading this that entered their name and address into a dreadful auction management system been defrauded or spammed as a result of doing so? Do you know anyone personally that has been defrauded or spammed as a result of doing so?
I will answer first. For myself no. And I know no one that has.
JMO
amwell68
[ edited by amwell68 on Aug 11, 2001 05:03 PM ]
posted on August 11, 2001 06:19:51 PM new
NothingYouNeed -- I know that. That's why I won't give you that information (he-he!) As a matter of fact, when I was searching for my information, I found a site where, if the state was input, it found me and gave the city that I live in, and offered to send me public records information for $2.95.
But, contrary to what some people seem to believe, I don't think that once you've let some information slip out there, that ALL is lost. It still pays to be prudent with the information you give out.
For what it's worth, here are a couple of sites that I think have helpful information:
http://www.private.org.il/harvest.html
http://www.cpsr.org/cpsr/privacy/junkmail.html
Also (it's a large group, so just skim the headers until you find a thread of interest) you can find some useful information on the alt.privacy newsgroup.
But this thread has drifted off topic, so that's all I'm going to say here.
Violetta
(Not known by this nickname anywhere but here.)
posted on August 11, 2001 07:05:03 PM new
Now I see where the crux of the disagreement is, while i've been wasting my time dealing with the facts as they are the opposite side is dealing in alternate realities and treating them as facts. Nighty nite then.
posted on August 11, 2001 07:55:33 PM new
bemused:
Actually, I believe the information posted in those websites proves your point. If it is so easy for spammers to get your email address anyway, what harm is it possibly going to do entering your name and address into a third party auction management site?
JMO
amwell68
[ edited by amwell68 on Aug 11, 2001 10:47 PM ]
posted on August 11, 2001 09:19:47 PM new
Ironically I just received some spam offering to sell me 20 Million FRESH email addresses for $249. What a bargain!
posted on August 16, 2001 06:15:39 PM new
Amwell68 wrote:
------
Actually, I believe the information posted in those websites proves your point. If it is so easy for spammers to get your email address anyway, what harm is it possibly going to do entering your name and address into a third party auction management site?
JMO
------
OMG! LOL! <thump> ROFLMAO!!!
That HAS to be the wackiest thing I've EVER seen anyone post. Gawd!
Ralph
[ edited by RalphAntebay on Aug 16, 2001 06:17 PM ]
posted on August 16, 2001 06:38:18 PM new
Actually your name and email address is not as hard to get as most think.
and if you use public website like Ebay your address and name is already all over.
every EOA you send out ends up in the receivers address book and many many people subcribe and use mailing lists and add all names in there address book when they forword mail to the group.
Other are bidding on low priced Items just to ge names addresses and email addresses.
At least check out forms and WBNs are from crediable companies like auctionwatch and others that have been around a while not a stranger you might just buy from once in a life time.
posted on August 16, 2001 07:40:33 PM new
Just saw an auction using one of these and they stated in their TOS, "You MUST use the automated system. If you don't wish to, then don't bid on the auction."
Atleast they were upfront about use it or lose it.
posted on August 17, 2001 12:38:38 PM new
I hope I'm not losing the main point of this thread, that is if there is a main point, as it seems to have branched out in different directions. And not meaning to spoil it further but...
I use software to launch my auctions and the link to the company is plainly listed at the bottom. Yet, the buyer is not required to fill out any forms or go to any website to get their payment info. as they are with AW or some of the other services.
So I'm wondering if buyers who are so against these third party services will boycott all auctions with links under the mistaken assumption that all auctions launched using a third party service would require them to do something they're not willing to do.
Also, (probably already been said but bears repeating), there are some sellers who use these services to launch, but they still handle all their emails to the buyers privately.
That's why I won't give you that information (he-he!)