"Big Brother" watch (the book, not the reality series)

A surprising bit of political email this morning sent me on a Web prowl, because the privacy policy of the one entity that seemed likely to have passed my e-address to the sending organization is pretty clear that They Don't Do That.

But then I went looking at the site of the political campaign's e-mail designers, and found this.

Now on one hand, this is hardly surprising -- given one's street address and access to online directories, of course they're going to find email addresses. But the question then becomes "Okay, but who gave these guys my street address?" -- and the possible source's Privacy Policy doesn't say a word about not giving out street addresses (and while that campaign has my street address legitimately, they didn't get it from me over the 'Net).

I have email off to the possible source, to see whether they're the actual source or not. But given that the barriers between online and snailmail communication are eroding, herewith a heads-up both for us consumers and the writers of Privacy Policies everywhere. For us mere mortals: sharing any information at all can help a recipient dig up more than you provided in the first place. And for policy writers: don't promise what you can't guarantee.

"Big Brother" watch (the book, not the reality series)

A surprising bit of political email this morning sent me on a Web prowl, because the privacy policy of the one entity that seemed likely to have passed my e-address to the sending organization is pretty clear that They Don't Do That.

But then I went looking at the site of the political campaign's e-mail designers, and found this.

Now on one hand, this is hardly surprising -- given one's street address and access to online directories, of course they're going to find email addresses. But the question then becomes "Okay, but who gave these guys my street address?" -- and the possible source's Privacy Policy doesn't say a word about not giving out street addresses (and while that campaign has my street address legitimately, they didn't get it from me over the 'Net).

I have email off to the possible source, to see whether they're the actual source or not. But given that the barriers between online and snailmail communication are eroding, herewith a heads-up both for us consumers and the writers of Privacy Policies everywhere. For us mere mortals: sharing any information at all can help a recipient dig up more than you provided in the first place. And for policy writers: don't promise what you can't guarantee.

Oh, all right, one more meme....

The major reason for posting this is that theodosia brought it up in the first place....

( RPG meme )

Oh, all right, one more meme....

The major reason for posting this is that theodosia brought it up in the first place....

( RPG meme )