Is Public Shame Enough To Keep ISPs From Doing Bad Stuff With Your Data?
from the not-if-no-one-knows-what's-going-on dept
While there has been a lot of attention paid recently to ISPs using clickstream tracking to provide targeted ads, it seems that many people are still focused on the activities of the ad companies, such as NebuAd, which garnered some attention from Congress for its offering. However, as we pointed out recently, many ISPs have been selling your clickstream data to others for years without people knowing about it. Now, with Congress threatening to put regulations in place, the various ISPs are scrambling to push back against that possibility.For example, Broadband Reports points out that Verizon is claiming that the chance of a public shaming will keep the company honest. While it's certainly true that a public shaming is a risk, it's also true that the sale of clickstream data is usually kept entirely secret, which would preclude any sort of public shaming. Public shaming could work if the companies were upfront and honest with how they're using data. But, since they're not, it's difficult to see how that works as a self-regulating mechanism.
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Filed Under: clickstream tracking, isps, legality, public shame, regulations
Companies: verizon
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public shame My A$$
with no real competition companies will do as they like, being connected has become a necessity and most ppl will put up with anything be able to be online.
as much as i hate governments interfering with daily business the ISP have too much freedom as is...
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Shaming by itself would not be enough.
I suppose that an industry code of conduct that clearly defines the boundaries along side "Shaming" might work - provided that the forum properly engaged all of the stakeholders.
Ultimately though, regulation and law would make me feel better.
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In fact, it should make the ISPs life easier, no?
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Regulation Deregulation Farce
How many times do you have to get screwed by different companies using the same excuses before you wise up?
They sold your data, they destroyed your market, they poisened the rivers and fed plastic to your cattle. They put zinc in your toothpaste and they continue to make you drive underpowered, overguzzling cars and still people beleive in self regulation?
"oops, sorry you got us - we'll try to do better next time" doesn't cut it, and thats what it'll come down to; deep down you know this
The argument "government interfering" in business is just a smokescreen. Yes it would be bad if governments intervened and set the way every company should do business, but that's not what is on the table. All anyone is suggesting is that the government, on behalf of the people (that's you) should set minimum standards of behaviour, try this:
"No you are not allowed to sell peoples data without their express consent"
"No you can't just give out loans irresponsibly and wait for a bailout"
"Putting arsenic in rivers is bad - that's a no"
"Sorry - only real protein for live stock - no plastic"
"Zinc in toothpaste? no import license for you"
"
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Regulation Deregulation Farce Pt.2
"
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Re: Regulation Deregulation Farce Pt.2
ah well - I got sick of writing the same thing out 3 times so to cut a long story short, it's kind of governments job to set standards of behaviour for society
I realise this is techdirt and the "let the market sort it out" crowd will be along any minute to flame me (although they've been oddly quiet lately) but consider sensible regulations one step towards getting your country back from the corporations
Flame on ;0)
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Re: Re: Regulation Deregulation Farce Pt.2
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Re: Re: Re: Regulation Deregulation Farce Pt.2
Now if the "if you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to fear" crowd would just read the occasional byline I could go home ;0)
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Shamming not enough
If any industry refuses to acknowledge that it has responsibility to act ethically if we want a civilized society it deserves to be regulated. One just has to look at the failure of our financial institutions today. The ISPs are not far behind.
Anyway, if they are making money off our data, we should be getting a royalty!
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