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Data Broker Opt-Out List

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71–80 of 167 posts

Re: Data Broker Opt-Out List

#71
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Despite this, loads of companies still do opt-out with impunity.

I think the EU are still being very lenient with companies right now to give them time to adjust their practices. I'm looking forward to when they (hopefully) start to hand out fines.

> I'm looking forward to when they (hopefully) start to hand out fines.

Given the pandemic, plausible economic collapse, Brexit, and so many other things going on in the world right now, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Re: Data Broker Opt-Out List

#72
post #58

So interestingly enough, a Facebook account I made years ago that was only used as a test is somehow in the records linked to my current address. Facebook is literally the only person that knows about this account and its never been attached to my personal FB account. It's making me really suspect right now...

Why? This is Facebook's business model. They have a shadow profile for you and managed to link your test account or some other service they own (whatsapp?) with your real account. They only need a single data point.

Re: Data Broker Opt-Out List

#73
post #70
post #30

If anyone cares, there are a nontrivial amount of companies who have your 'private' LinkedIn info. I don't know if they make fake accounts to friend you, recruiter profiles, or buy it from LinkedIn. I asked one to please remove my info, and they sent me a CCPA form. I told them I didn't live in California, and an agent acted confused and told me to just fill it out, it's the only way to remove it. In short, don't tru…

I’ve realized a long long time ago that any interaction with linked-in is a bad idea. You might think facebook behaves pathologically but linked-in takes it to a new level!

Do you have any examples of that kind of behaviour by LinkedIn?

Re: Data Broker Opt-Out List

#74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd love to know what kind of false information you're enjoying sending them, and how!

- Fill out surveys at malls with your name and either a phone number or address that matches one currently in your credit file and you can supply false info for the the opposite. - Put in a mail forwarding card with your name from a former address to a random real address like a Starbucks, Taco Bell, apartment complex w/o unit number, etc. - Change the billing address of a credit card or utility and allow to sit for…

Aren't some of these criminal fraud?

Re: Data Broker Opt-Out List

#75
post #66
post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly as most are asking for email which inadvertently can confirm the identity and if you use the same email for other services, they can get even more data about you. I guess it's a matter of trust, how much do you trust their 'opt out' promise.

If you're paranoid, definitely use a throwaway email for the opt out. They already have so much info on me that I'm doubtful that confirming my identity would add anything to that. I guess we're lucky that most of these SEO-saavy brokers seem to at least pay lip service to US/EU laws (or even do so voluntarily, since I think only a handful of states actually restrict selling your publicly-available or personal inform…

> If you're paranoid, definitely use a throwaway email for the opt out.

If this worked then anyone could opt out anyone else, which some people would object to. I think that's the loophole they use to force you to provide even more info.

Re: Data Broker Opt-Out List

#76
post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

- Fill out surveys at malls with your name and either a phone number or address that matches one currently in your credit file and you can supply false info for the the opposite. - Put in a mail forwarding card with your name from a former address to a random real address like a Starbucks, Taco Bell, apartment complex w/o unit number, etc. - Change the billing address of a credit card or utility and allow to sit for…

Then when you go to open a credit card or actually try to clean up your credit report, you'll need to remember which Taco Bell you randomly pretended to live at to answer security questions.

When I run into that problem I wait for the rejection mail from the creditor, then I write back with a redacted photocopy of my IDs - completely useless with everything blacked out but my name - and a copy of their letter. I say here is my redacted ID as proof of identity and a photocopy of your letter as proof of receipt so please approve me and that has worked every time so far. It makes it very easy to see where the line between security and security theater is drawn. Not that any US bank is going to win awards for security (except maybe Robinhood, they really stand out with standards based 2FA and the ability to block external ACH with a click)

Re: Data Broker Opt-Out List

#77
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The US has been dismantling the rule of law for decades. They call it "deregulation". It lead directly to the last big financial crash, and it also is largely responsible for predatory schools, prisons, universities, banks, and much more.

I would argue that it's not only deregulation. It's the fact that we exist in a middle ground between proper regulation and a proper free market. Either of those, and we'd be able to do fine. As it is, we get the downsides of both.

That is too simple: every system has pros and cons. Regulation, free market or middle ground. Doesn't matter, there are always pros and cons.

Important is that you choose which pros and cons you find important.

Re: Data Broker Opt-Out List

#79
post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It would confirm your data but they’re legally bound to respect your choice. For any fairly large orgs (eg if they’re public/listed on major exchanges) disobeying your choice would be a huge risk which they will likely not take ( the smaller data brokers don’t have as much to lose, but just to be clear it would still be illegal).

> they’re legally bound to respect your choice Can I ask by what law?

GDPR and the California law inspired by it.

Re: Data Broker Opt-Out List

#80

I’ve been through most of these and removing yourself really can be done. In many cases the removal is considered temporary and you have to repeat every four to ten years. It’s not possible to get off of the skip trace and debt collectors databases run by Transunion, Experian, and others - but you can flood them with false information and they will record it and keep it forever.

it seems pretty obvious that removing oneself can't be done well.

> but you can flood them with false information and they will record it and keep it forever.

how would you do this?

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