[LINK] Bruce Schneier: Privacy eroded in virtual world

[Howard Lowndes]

On Fri, 2005-02-25 at 08:31, Deus Ex Machina wrote:
> rchirgwin at ozemail.com.au [rchirgwin at ozemail.com.au] wrote:
> > Stilgherrian wrote:
> > 
> > >Respected information security expert Bruce Schneier has penned (well,
> > >probably typed) this very clear piece for eWeek explaining that in the
> > >virtual world, the boundaries of our privacy are not the same as in the
> > >physical world -- with the result that our privacy is being eroded.
> > >
> > >   http://www.eweek.com/article2/0%2C1759%2C1761739%2C00.asp
> > >
> > >Some choice cuts:
> > >
> > >   A dozen years ago, if someone wanted to look through your
> > >   mail, they would have had to break into your house. Now they
> > >   can just break into your ISP. Ten years ago, your voice mail
> > >   was on an answering machine in your house; now it's on a
> > >   computer owned by a telephone company. [...] Data that used
> > >   to be under your direct control is now controlled by others.
> > >
> > >   We have no choice but to trust these companies with our
> > >   privacy, even though the companies have little incentive to
> > >   protect that privacy.
> > > 
> > >
> > Well, yes and no. I can choose not to avail myself of some of the 
> > services, or I can choose the companies I trust more carefully.
> > 
> > Voicemail: I avoid it. People who want a "call me" message to get 
> > through are better advised to send me an SMS.
> > 
> > Schneier mentions loyalty cards. I don't use them, for precisely this 
> > reason.
> > 
> > At least one incentive for companies to become trustworthy is for 
> > customers to stop acting like sheep, and instead walk away from 
> > companies or services which don't measure up.
> 
> you are of course assuming that people are zealots about ther privacy
> which is of course not the case. in regards to the potential issues
> raised, most people in many circumstances couldnt care less.

Which is exactly Richard's point about "sheep".  What you say Vic is,
regrettably, true, but if ppl were more aware, and more caring, of the
issues then it would be better for all of us.

> 
> Vic
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Link mailing list
> Link at mailman.anu.edu.au
> http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link
-- 
Howard.
LANNet Computing Associates;
Your Linux people <http://www.lannetlinux.com>
------------------------------------------
"When you just want a system that works, you choose Linux;
when you want a system that just works, you choose Microsoft."
------------------------------------------
"Flatter government, not fatter government;
Get rid of the Australian states."