Data Mining Protection

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I wonder if the TractorByNet app data mines my phone. Same question for computer users.

After watching the latest videos of Facebook and Twitter CEO in court I’m backing away from FB. I caught on to the ad targeting long ago, what was really spooky in the last year or two, was when I had a conversation in person about a particular product like a snow blower, Makita 36v chainsaw etc etc and I would then get ads on FB within a day or so of that same product, never have seen that ad before.

Apple collects every punch I make on my phone under the “Analytics Data” tab in settings: Privacy.

Single line events and pages and pages of information. I have been aware of this since 2014 when I got my second smartphone IPhone 4s. Since then the first thing I do is: in settings, turn off the sharing data, turn off cookies etc etc.

IOS-14 has a setting on it under “Privacy” called “Tracking” what that does is give apps permission to ask for your permission to track you and data mine. By turning that off supposedly the app can’t see your info anymore. FaceBook says by Apple doing this they stand to lose 2 BILLION in revenue, this one setting will cut their ad tracking by 50% on iPhone users.

I am only on FB and TractorByNet but have many “Free” apps. With Zuckerberg’s basic admittance of tracking folks, communicating with Google and Twitter on censorship, I’ll likely leave FB. Have only had a FB account since 2015. Although I really liked their tractor groups and sold a lot on FB marketplace.

So how much is enough for you not to do business, with that company because they have been getting wealthy off your personal data you didn’t give them permission to? Is this a 4th amendment violation?

I have seen with my own eyes, Credit Card companies (can’t say who) openly talking about data mining computers and phones, not sure how many other apps do.

I still remember when the Amazon’s Alexa was listening when it wasn’t supposed to be and sent a message out on behalf of it’s unaware owners.

Even logging in a website makes you vulnerable to data mining.

 

[MossRoad]

Read the terms of services. We agreed to everything.

4th amendment? That only applies to government.

 

[Jstpssng]

I quit FB years ago in part for that very reason, but also because of the divisiveness and back biting. Something about hiding behind a computer screen can bring out the worst in people.

A bit different but what really peeved me was when I used a credit card at a local convenience store; somehow that store got my email address and I've been getting spam from them ever since. As Moss said though, it's in the terms of my agreement but that doesn't make it right. I also no longer have that credit card.

Somehow Amazon got my debit card number for the account where my paycheck goes, and which I pay all of my bills from. The only thing I've used it for in at least 5 years was to pay my power bill and take money from the ATM machine; yet one morning when I checked my account I found that Amazon had done a query to see how much money was there. Luckily nothing was taken but they could have wiped out my savings account as well as what was in my checking... plus a couple of CDs I had. I called the CU as soon as they opened and told them to shut the card off; they sent me a new one but I never activated it.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I would like to be so done with Google on account of censorship.

Do most search engines require an account? Yahoo seems to.

 

[Macinnis]

Why do you think YouTube wants you to login with your google account? My nest (google) thermostat tries to get me to login to it every week with a google email account...why would that be?

I think I am the only person I know who has never been on the book face.

We all know nothing is truly free...and those free apps on your phone are no different than Facebook, google, etc. I used to be of the idgaf if they have my data, I have nothing to hide...but the amount of money they are making off of personal data...I want my cut.

It’s especially bad to see how they try to influence elections based on their views and your data.

 

[riptides]

Yet another note on privacy and using services provided by others.

Services provided by others.

Read the terms and conditions.
Use other services.
Spread yourself out.

Don't expect "government" to save you.

 

[Frankenkubota]

Read the terms of services. We agreed to everything.

4th amendment? That only applies to government.

You got that right.

Other than the lawyers that wrote them, I wonder if ANYONE has ever read the terms of service. 1 in a million?

That my friend is a perfect example of why I hate lawyers, but just the bad ones. They make all the rules, in a language you can't understand, and then they enforce the rules. And get paid paid paid.

Anybody. else think it's a f*cking insult to click on the i agree button, knowing you have no choice really and that you probably just gave away your first born?

The only thing Orwell had wrong was he said govt would do it. Govt is incompetent. If there is a buck to be made, Big business can do it just fine. When Zukerburg testified to congress and one of our senators? asked him, let me see that book, that face book.

I don't have a solution but just laying down and taking it will get us exactly what we deserve. All in the name of convenience.

The only entity that can change it is govt and big business owns govt. Ain't gonna happen. Honestly, I don't think most people care.

 

[Peter 315]

Why do you think YouTube wants you to login with your google account? My nest (google) thermostat tries to get me to login to it every week with a google email account...why would that be?

I think I am the only person I know who has never been on the book face.

We all know nothing is truly free...and those free apps on your phone are no different than Facebook, google, etc. I used to be of the idgaf if they have my data, I have nothing to hide...but the amount of money they are making off of personal data...I want my cut.

It’s especially bad to see how they try to influence elections based on their views and your data.

No book face (lol) here or snap chat or any of the other sites........

 

[Industrial Toys]

I was on Feces Book for a day. That was enough. What I have seen of Zuckerburg in hearings lately, and his organized censorship friends, I regret that one day.

 

[Captain Dirty]

No book face (lol) here or snap chat or any of the other sites........

Beware! Read Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. When the authorities need a perpetrator to account for some heinous misdemeanor but have no suspect, they select a "perp" from a list of eccentrics, set a mechanical "hound" to pursue him, film the chase and execution from a TV news helicopter but at a sufficient distance to preclude showing the eccentric's identity. Safety is only achieved by adhering to societal norms, which would include clicking on "agree" buttons if Bradbury had known about them. The America portrayed in the dystopian 1953 novel has some distressing similarities to today.

 

[Jstpssng]

I financed a truck this summer... the sales manager was trying to figure out why it was taking so long to sign the paperwork, saying that most people don't take the time to read it.
It wasn't the first time that somebody has told me that... if they want me to go faster, they should send it to me to read the night before.

My title attorney always does. :thumbsup:

 

[JethroB]

I posted about credit freezes on another thread. You can pay an expensive monthly service to do it or you can freeze them yourself at little or no cost. Its a good first step in limiting your information out in the wild. Experian, TransUnion, & Equifax are the three US bureaus.

What is a credit freeze?

A credit freeze is one way to protect yourself against identity theft. It entails restricting access to your credit report to minimize the chance of identity thieves opening new accounts in your name. You will need to give personal consent for your credit to be viewed.

Since creditors need to view your credit report before approving any new accounts opened in your name, a credit freeze is one way to stay ahead of fraud and is especially smart if you suspect that someone has already gained access to your personal information.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^
I'm not so worried about that, my problems have been with people somehow getting my account #. I had to close out one checking account about 10 years ago because of it, and a few years ago I used a CC to buy gas while on the way to see my parents. The next day I discovered that somebody had used it to buy a $90 Macy's gift certificate. I quickly had the card shut off but always wonder how many people don't even notice a charge like that, allowing the thieves are able to keep on using their card# for small purchases.

 

[3Ts]

I applied for and got a new credit card. Before I could use it someone tried to use the number at WalMart for $500. The fraud dept caught it before I did, cancelled the card and issued a new one.

I've had charges for a few dollars show up that were not authorized, we challenged those. Also had a store "round up" a $35 bill to $50 hoping we wouldn't notice, sent the card company a copy of the receipt and never did business with them again.

 

[pmsmechanic]

My credit card has the option of me being sent a text every time there is a withdrawal from the account. Often I get the text right at the counter or while walking out the door. That's awesome fraud protection right there.

 

[JamesHW]

We just use Amex for anything online or purchases/ATM withdrawals and never install any apps connected to accounts of any sort or any online banking. Money is moved via phone or personally. Never been compromised. Moved from Windows to iOS/Mac when I retired for the simple reason it works and a desire to not experience Win 10 (my Windows experience was 3.1.1, NT, 95, 7). Don’t lose any sleep if my search of images of towable backhoes results in an ad for towable backhoes, just careful what web pages I click on. Facebook is evil and I avoid having their apps on any devices.

 

[MossRoad]

^^^^^ Yes this. And birthday days are used so often as a ID confirmation. Data breach’s galore. In September of 2017, Equifax announced a data breach that exposed the personal information of 147 million people.

Don't be so dramatic.... it was only half of the U.S. population.

 

[rekees4300]

These are two good resources to understand and deal with Identity Theft.

Identity Theft Protection Services | FTC Consumer Information

Identity Theft Recovery Steps | IdentityTheft.gov