privacy

Phoenix Aiport Uses X-ray Strip Search

Phoenix Aiport Uses X-ray Strip Search

An X-ray strip search device is being tested starting today at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Passengers selected for secondary screening are given an option of the X-ray, which uses low-dose radiation to see through clothes (with great detail) but not skin, or a pat-down. From CBS4:

Men will view male images and women will view female images, but privacy advocates are concerned that those more detailed, embarrassing images will be stored inside the machine and can be viewed at a later time.

RIAA Hates Open WiFi

RIAA Hates Open WiFi

Debbie Foster was sued by RIAA member company Capitol Records for allegedly sharing copyrighted material on a P2P file sharing network. However, the alleged infringement was apparently committed by someone else with access to her ISP account. Foster had the case dismissed last summer, and as reported by Listening Post earlier this month, was awarded attorney’s fees in excess of $50,000.

TJ Maxx Security Breach Happened A Year Earlier Than Previously Reported

“TJX Cos. said today that the unauthorized intrusion into its computer system occurred nearly a year earlier than it previously believed.

GameStop: No Solicitation Calls = No Reservation Calls

GameStop: No Solicitation Calls = No Reservation Calls

I called my local Gamestop, where I know most of the employees by name, and asked what to do. They said they couldn’t help me directly, but to call customer service at (800) 883-8895. I called that number, waited on hold for a few minutes, got a CSR and asked that my name be removed from the solicitation list. I said that I don’t mind the calls telling me my reserved games are in, but that the solicitations needed to stop. He said that the two systems are linked, and that I couldn’t be removed from one without being removed from the other. I said that was acceptable, since I really didn’t want the solicitations. He asked for my phone number, I gave it to him, and he said he’d “put in a request” to have me removed from the system.

GameStop Matches Customer Contact Info To Purchases, Asks If They Can Buy Back Games

“We hope you’re enjoying your copy of Twiliight Princess, but if you’re finished with it, why don’t you bring it to the store and trade it in? We’re willing to give you $35 in trade for your copy of Twilight Princess….” I hung up at this point, and try not to curse. I really don’t like this sort of phone call, but I’m almost willing to tolerate it when they’re telling me a game I want to buy is coming in.

It seems that GameStop has cross-referenced their reservation database with the records of what their customers purchase. Then, when they’re running low on used copies of Twilight Princess or whatever, they can call and harass people to sell them back. Damn, GameStop. We know a lot of your customers are used to being treated like crap, but this is a new low. —MEGHANN MARCO

FTC Asks Court to Order Permanent Halt To Pretexting

FTC Asks Court to Order Permanent Halt To Pretexting

The FTC asked a district court to announce a forever ban against businesses using false pretenses, or “pretexting,” to acquire customers phone records and then sell them to third parties.

Keep Google From Storing Your Search History

Perhaps you’ve noticed that Google has been quietly associating your account with your search history. Perhaps this pisses you off. Well, Ex-Googler Nelson Minar has some tips for deleting and turning off the search history feature, should that appeal to you.

Presidential Proclamation: It's Consumer Protection Week

During National Consumer Protection Week, citizens are urged to learn more about the risks of fraud and identity theft and take precautions to protect themselves from these crimes.

T.J. Maxx Gets Class Actioned For Credit Card Breach

A class action lawsuit was filed yesterday against TJ Maxx for allowing millions of customer’s credit cards to be stolen in a Jan. 17. security breach.

ConEd Customer's Personal Info Highly Vulnerable To Online Theft

ConEd customer’s personal information is in grave danger. ConEd’s online account system is easily crackable, only requiring entering an account number.

Opt-Out Of Sprint Selling Your Data

Opt-Out Of Sprint Selling Your Data

Sprint notified customers that unless you opt-out, Sprint reserves the right to share your private calling data with third party marketers. Sprint hires these companies to market other Sprint services to you.

StolenID Search: See If  Your Identity Was Stolen, Just Type In Your SSN….

StolenID Search: See If Your Identity Was Stolen, Just Type In Your SSN….

Has someone stolen your social security or credit card number? StolenIDSearch is a new site aims to answer this question that has tickled the back of most American’s minds at some point, especially in light of the recent spree of retailer breaches and stolen laptops containing reams of personal information.

TJ Maxx & Marshall’s Hacked, Tons Of Credit Cards Stolen

TJ Maxx & Marshall’s Hacked, Tons Of Credit Cards Stolen

In mid-December, someone cracked into TJ Maxx’s computer system and stole a huge swath of credit cards.

BellSouth’s Site Tracks Your IP And Then They Telemarket You

Is a company allowed to call you up after you go to their website, even if you haven’t even given them your phone number?

Macy’s Wants Your Social Security Number For A Gift Card Return

Reader George writes in because Macy’s asked his wife for her Social Security Number when she tried to return a pair of jeans she bought online with a gift card. No, she wasn’t trying to get cash back. Yes, she had all the documentation from Macys.com.

Beware The Canadian Spy Coins

    In a U.S. government warning high on the creepiness scale, the Defense Department cautioned its American contractors over what it described as a new espionage threat: Canadian coins with tiny radio frequency transmitters hidden inside.

The Manchurian Consumer

The Manchurian Consumer

A new book, Digital Destiny, accuses the ad industry of “brandwashing” America and warns of advertisers working behind the scenes to gut consumer’s online privacy. Ad Age writes:

ThisIsDumb: Commerce Bank’s Monitors Face Window

ThisIsDumb: Commerce Bank’s Monitors Face Window

Can you spot the problem in this picture? Reader Conformco snagged it and writes: