Can There Be An Exxon Valdez For Privacy?
from the or-will-it-matter dept
Ed Felten is asking a very interesting question. With all of the data and privacy leaks over the last few years, it still seems like most people aren't that concerned. Certainly, those whose data has been included in one or more sets of leaked data (which must include nearly everyone by now) may be slightly inconvenienced, but is it enough to take notice? He asks what will it take to create an "Exxon Valdez" moment for privacy, where just about everyone suddenly starts paying attention. He asked that question on a recent panel, and someone responded that a large scale identity theft effort that impacted thousands would do the trick, but others disagree. Of course, another issue is whether or not this is even the right question. The Valdez incident may have captured public attention for a little while, and caused some changes in processes, but did it actually set in place large scale changes? And, with privacy, it seems that an increasing number of people are simply resigned to accepting Scott McNealy's position that you have zero privacy, and everyone should just "get over it." Alternatively, there are those who support the David Brin sousveillance view of the world, where you admit there's no privacy, but make sure that's true for those who have access to your private data as well (which, in theory, helps keep them more honest, since any violation of your privacy can then become known). So, perhaps the real question is whether or not there really will be a defining moment in privacy violations, or if people will gradually just become resigned to the fact that they have little to no privacy any more.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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great comment by the way COD
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Re: I don't think
There are so many companies that are outsourced overseas. Financial institutions included. Many countries such as India have different privacy laws. How do we know any of our personal information is safe? We don't! And there is nothing we can do about it. We just have to hope for the best.
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The worst part...
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Privacy is a double edged sword
The scale of a leak is irrelevant, ten million customers data are the same as ten, it's the content of the data that makes the difference.
Sousveillance, an interesting idea, but never forget
surveillance is about power not protection. Those with the power can selectively rewrite the record at will, so it will never apply equally.
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VA Data Leak
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This is an easy one...
Bunches of cute birdies and baby seals dying does the trick. (Exxon Valdez) Financial "death" of tens of thousands of employees due to a corrupt few does the trick. (Enron) Too many deaths at an intersection does the trick. (local governments will finally spend the money to install stoplights) And a death or two of actual people due to Russian, Mexican, or even American mob activity because they refused to pay up after their data was jacked online will do the trick too.
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ID Theft In The nbame Of Good
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Re: ID Theft In The Name Of Good
Brilliant, I'll get started on that right away.
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Re: Exxon Valdez
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Nothing Left
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My ex-boyfriend took care of it for me.
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Holding your private data hostage
Having credit cards stolen is nothing compared with the theft of sensitive information: Medical information, corporate secrets, military secrets, sealed court records, driving record, all your financial records, all your tax returns, etc.
Perhaps it's even scarier if the break-in goes unnoticed and records are actually updated. Imagine if your medical records are doctored. Or your social security account is altered.
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Gotta love the media...
Thanks guys, really.
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Re: Gotta love the media...
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Exxon Valdez of Privacy
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The Exx-Valdez of data
Remember the saving and loan debacle in the 80s, where tons of people lost real money and had to be bailed out by the govn'mt? This event led to major changes in banking practices and regulations. Do you know of a financial institute that still has "S&L" in its name?
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There is no privacy on the Internet
The majority of people didn't think about their privacy before the internet and most don't think of it now. The people reading TechDirt are in the minority - and just as likely to suffer from identity theft as someone who doesn't read TechDirt or even use the internet for that matter.
There is no privacy on the internet, never was and never will be.
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My Letter from the Office of Veteran Affairs
The information contains SS numbers, contact info, disability ratings etc.
The employee's house was robbed and the computer, containing the information was stolen.
Your "Exxon-Valdez for Piracy"? 26.5 MILLION veterans information was stolen and presumed compromised.
Fuck that fuck that fuck that
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Leaky gummint now contends with a waterfall
Do you really think the "bad guys" or even the "good guys" didn't already know this?
Hilarious.
Enjoy the show. Washington (and other capitols) are now connected to a firehose of leaks if not a waterfall.
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