fake@fake.net

There it is, people, the worlds busiest email address:  fake@fake.net

Granted, there isn't much privacy with anything that is used and perused using today's technology but sometimes sticking it back in the tech giants' eye is kind of satisfying.

I have a little fun trick for you all when asked to enter your email address prior to viewing some web content.  As long as the email address isn't verified -- and they web page is just looking to accumulate and sell email addresses -- just enter fake@fake.net.

Use Firefox for internet browsing.  They are the only ones out there who are worried about too much of your information out there.  Use their private browsing option, and also, pitch in $10 for their cause.  They are your only privacy champions out there not beholden to corporate interests.  

You all have *no* idea what's floating around in cyberspace.  Be particularly leery of 'free' cloud space services and storage.  Most of the time in the 'terms and conditions' you all never read, using the cloud relinquishes content rights to the host.  That means that your information is no longer yours and they can do and use it however they feel.

Pissed off?  You should be.  However, just how do you wage war against a 'cloud.' 

Collection of Data

Now all of the tech giants are storming the Oval Office trying to shame the administration of using data for national security.

"How DARE the government use collected data for the purpose of national security," the bemoan.

Here's the question of the day.  From what I get it's OK for private enterprise to collect and snoop with no limits, regard, or restrictions whatsoever, but if the government uses the data they are automatically evil.

Question to tech giants:  If you did not collect data in the first place, then the government would not be wanting access to it.  Simple fix.  Don't store it and/or sell it.  Ohhhhhhhhhhh, but how would they get paid for pop-up ads aimed directly at your demographic?  The tech giants even sell your preferences for anticipated voting actions. 

Sorry, but Facebook, Yahoo, Google, AT&T et al, are the real culprits on personal privacy invasions.  Nobody is asking questions as to their internal controls on personal privacy (which is a free-for-all).  The tech giants are waaaaaaaay too quick to put the spot light on the government to paint them as evil.  There is a solution.  Just put in the lengthy-verbose-legalese-disclosure upon downloading the latest Angry Birds app that draw us in for use of such apps may be disclosed for government analysis.  Done.

As for Feinstein being surveillanced.... what's good for the goose is good for the gander.  Suck it up, sister.  You're a steward of the public and if we're paying you, we own you.  Don't like it?  Give up your job and all income that has been generated by the taxpayers.  

Internet Giants Do NOT Respect Boundaries

Be careful out there in cyberland.  I think all of our smart phones, iPads, email blah, blah, blah is now being recognized as the privacy nightmare it is. 

Told you so.

I strongly discourage you from downloading any "mobile apps" that are marketed using the cool, in, hipster crowd.  For starters, the security is not secure.  Second of all, can you truly concentrate on the task at hand while on a bus or other public place where strangers are looking over your shoulder?  Besides, the whole myth of multitasking is a complete lie.  We do thousands of things half-ass and nothing with conscious precision and detail -- which leads me back to security not being secure. 

There are so many layers of technology involved and cross-programming that detail and precision are not there like you are led to believe.  Programmers and tech developers are pushed to do whatever it takes to get their app up and running.  Minute details such as security get pushed under the rug.  If security were truly secure, none of the apps would actually work. 

Be VERY leery of what you do online and with your smart phone.  Those who use their smart phones for just calls, texts, and other simple communications are truly the smart ones.  All the other free apps are just a Trojan horse.  

Internet Privacy - Social Networking for Kids

You all gave your kids the tool of the devil.  Now you're bitching about that iPhone and Johnny's self-destructive pics and posts on Facebook.    Trying to control teens and social networking sites by implementing privacy controls is like shoveling against the tide.  You think you have privacy?  HA!!!! 

It's only going to get worse.  It's not just your idiot 'friends' tagging you and posting to social media every time you go out complete with pics and location. Now many public places are implementing cameras that capture the demographics and faces of their customers complete with face recognition software (for safety, advertising and marketing purposes, of course).

Here is where I think the Islamic religion is right in having women cover their faces when out in public.  I think we all will be covering our faces pretty soon.......

Privacy

Why is it that my mail box is flooded with "priacy act notices" in regards to my financial information and personal information that is collected with places I conduct business with?  Somewhere along the line somebody got upset about their personal information being spilled to whomever (and rightfully so) and laws were passed and opt-out notices were required of lenders and such. 

Well, I want to opt-out of Google and other online snoop sites that any moron with an internet connection can see:  where I live, how much my house is worth, family associations complete with birth dates, where I work, gross income reported on tax returns..... and adding insult to injury.... satellite pictures and street views of my house!

None of this is posted with my permission.  It's creepy beyond creepy.