privacy

Astroglide Generously Provides The Internet With A List of 250k People Who Use Their Lube

Astroglide Generously Provides The Internet With A List of 250k People Who Use Their Lube

By 4.24.07

“Obviously I would be disappointed [by the company breaking its privacy policy], but I’m not worried about that information getting out. I think I just gave them my name, address and phone number. I can see how other people would be concerned about it, though.”

Uh, yeah. According to the Department of Homeland Stupidity blog, the data breach also includes “a spreadsheet containing 4,529 records of people who ordered the company’s Silken Secret vaginal moisturizer product.” The file contains names, ages, email and home addresses, and “why they wanted to try the product”, including options like “Intimate Activity” and “Vaginal Dryness.” Nice.—MEGHANN MARCO

Buy A Shredder, Hamster Powered Or Otherwise

Buy A Shredder, Hamster Powered Or Otherwise

By 4.11.07

A post on BoingBoing about a hamster-powered shredder reminded us to tell you that you need to buy a shredder. Everyone should have one. We got a small one at Target for 15 bucks.—MEGHANN MARCO

UPDATE: Apple: No, You Can't Have Your Data Back, We're Keeping It

UPDATE: Apple: No, You Can't Have Your Data Back, We're Keeping It

By 4.10.07

Perhaps you recall Chris who had the “unrecoverable” hard drive that Apple wouldn’t let him keep? Chris was concerned that Apple was incorrect, and that the disk might in fact be recoverable by someone, and so he wanted it back. He asked nicely. He offered money. Sadly, nothing worked. Apple’s policy was to keep the disc. Chris could either get his new hard drive or his old one, but not both.

Want To Opt Out Of Information Sharing? AmEx Doesn't Answer The Phone

By 4.9.07

I call (800-297-8378 if you want to try it for yourself). I get a recording welcoming me American Express and notifying me that the call could be recorded… then abruptly says: “The computer system needed to answer your questions is not available.” And it hangs up.

Chris says the phone number has been non-working for 5 days now and sure enough when The Consumerist called it a sing-songy computer voice cheerfully proclaimed the computer unavailable and unceremoniously hung up.

Google Offers Free Directory Assistance, Adds To Your Permanent File

By consumeristcarey 4.8.07

Google Voice Local Search has emerged from the Google Labs to provide free directory assistance. A call to 1-800-GOOG-411 connects you to a pleasant automated operator who asks for your city and state. From there, you can narrow your search by business or category. When Google finds your business, it offers to either connect you for free, or text the details to your phone. The service does not currently support ads.

U-Haul Requires A Thumbprint To Rent A Van?

U-Haul Requires A Thumbprint To Rent A Van?

By 4.5.07

Does U-Haul require a thumbprint to rent a van?

Apple: No, You Can't Have Your Data Back, We're Keeping It

Apple: No, You Can't Have Your Data Back, We're Keeping It

By 4.5.07

I asked if I can buy a new hard drive, in order to get the old drive back: “No.”

Start Thinking Of A Password: FCC Approves New Rules To Stop Pretexting

Start Thinking Of A Password: FCC Approves New Rules To Stop Pretexting

By 4.3.07

In addition to the password protection, the rules also require carriers to ask for customers’ permission when sharing private account information with business partners and independent contractors.

Alaska Air's New Privacy Policy 'Changes Your Preferences'

Alaska Air's New Privacy Policy 'Changes Your Preferences'

By 3.26.07

Somehow, we find that difficult to believe. —MEGHANN MARCO

Purdue University Will Gladly Forward RIAA Letters To Students

Purdue University Will Gladly Forward RIAA Letters To Students

By 3.21.07

If an Internet user notified decides not to pay the settlement, the music association will ask the university for its computer logs so it can pursue legal action. University spokeswoman Jeanne Norberg said the university would comply with the requests.

How To: Erase Your Hard Drive

How To: Erase Your Hard Drive

By 3.21.07

If, for some reason, you have a hard drive that you really, really, want to erase today is your lucky day. bbum has posted some tips for erasing a drive, and reminds you that even broken drives should be “erased.”

Car Dealer Refuses To Sell You A Vehicle Without A Thumbprint

Car Dealer Refuses To Sell You A Vehicle Without A Thumbprint

By 3.19.07

You are handed a slip of paper and told to mark your right thumbprint in a box. The paper says clearly that it’s a request, for your protection, and to prevent your identity theft.

Chase Refuses To Cash Check Without Thumbprint

Chase Refuses To Cash Check Without Thumbprint

By consumeristcarey 3.17.07

Chase refused to let Ramsey cash his check without a thumbprint, even though he had called and verified that two forms of identification would suffice. The teller insisted that a thumbprint was required by a “rule.” How official sounding. Ramsey spoke with Heath, the bank manager.

    “Heath informed me that due to the Patriot Act, all negotiable instruments required a fingerprint as proof of my status as a holder in due course.”

Ah, the Patriot Act, that vague catch-all excuse for every vigilante action under the American sun.

Google Changes Privacy Policy

By 3.15.07

Google is changing their privacy policy. From the Google Blog:When you search on Google, we collect information about your search, such as the query itself, IP addresses and cookie details. Previously, we kept this data for as long as it was useful.

Fight Back At Marketers By Surfing Anonymously

Fight Back At Marketers By Surfing Anonymously

By 3.14.07

Marketers just love to gather information about who is surfing the web and why. They’re not above tracking a user’s web history to learn about their interests and buying habits, but they can only do it if you let them.

FBI Broke Law In Domestic Spying, DOJ Finds

FBI Broke Law In Domestic Spying, DOJ Finds

By consumerist.com 3.9.07

The FBI broke the law in obtaining information about private citizens after 9/11, a Department of Justice audit concluded today. From the AP:

12 Steps To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

12 Steps To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

By consumerist.com 3.7.07

AllFinancialMatters posted 12 steps to protecting yourself from the threat of identity theft. We like 1 and 4 in particular, which have to do with how much information you put on the checks you order.

Social Security Numbers Revealed Online In Public Documents

Social Security Numbers Revealed Online In Public Documents

By consumerist.com 2.23.07

Over and over again, consumers are told to protect their social security number. It gets to the point where you feel like if you get your identity stolen, it’s your fault. But how well can you do if the companies you’re forced to hand over your private information to as a contingency for doing business with have lax security?

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