Companies looking into your private life.

J. Crawford · #1 06-08-2010, 09:05 PM

My Blackberry was having problems the other day, so I took it in. The guy took it in the back, and it sparked my interest. How easy could he have looked through all my contacts, numbers, texts, etc., etc.

And that made me think, do companies like AOL, Skype, Facebook, etc., monitor their chats/video chats? Could a phone company random look at your texts?

I was just thinking about this, brought it up to some friends, and we all wondered. Kinda reminds me of the "big brother" thing.

Pilgrim · #2 06-08-2010, 09:24 PM

There's more than one answer.

Anyone can break the law and steal information - although most of what they could seal from a phone has limited value. If you have critical ID information stolen, that's a problem. Your phone book? Not a big deal.

But - if it's data and it's moving around, it's potentially exposed to discovery.

However, out of the flood of data moving around, there's no reason for anyone to seek our yours unless you give them a reason or do something to present yourself as a target.

And of course, company-owned equipment puts you in a different situation. I don't know how a court would rule on ownership of the data stored in or transmitted by a company-owned cell phone.

J. Crawford · #3 06-08-2010, 09:32 PM

Its not company owned, I couldnt think of a good title for the thread. Thanks Pilgrim!

Fontaine · #4 06-08-2010, 09:37 PM

I hope they read my drunk texts, at least then I have someone to explain to me what I was trying to accomplish.

TheSuzie · #5 06-08-2010, 10:30 PM

Back in the '70s while working in a government sponsored lab, I learned about a machine that could listen to thousands of phone conversations. It could be programmed to detect certain key words or phrases and to record the suspect conversations.

In the early 80's I worked on a system that could read the license plate plate numbers of vehicles while they were in motion (daytime and nighttime).

What can be done today boggles the mind. The level of tech available to anyone who has a few bucks is amazing. Of course much evil is done by idiots who steal people's mail or fish through trash. I also hate companies who have such complicated user agreements that it would take a lawyer to figure out that they have the right to steal any and all of your data.

I do not believe there is much privacy left for anyone.

He for sure could have cloned your sim in a matter of seconds. Getting other data out probably would take longer.

S

varunkapahi · #6 06-09-2010, 01:08 AM

i bet they do

i hate username · #7 06-09-2010, 01:48 AM

Your not that interesting....No one is reading you mail.

Nikoubis · #8 06-09-2010, 03:07 AM

Your ISP can see anything you do on the Internet. Even in your browser's porn mode.

Asa Samuel · #9 06-09-2010, 03:26 AM

I remember a consumer advice programme did a test a while a go where they pulled a RAM card slightly out of a laptop and brought it in to 5 different shops to get it repaired - a simple job just to push it back in - but they had mini cameras in the laptop and a hidden logging programme installed. The other thing they had was some "raunchy" pictures of the woman who took the laptop in for repair in a folder on the laptop.

All but one of the shops charged her for a new RAM card, and looked through personal files and one repairman even downloaded the "raunchy" pictures to a USB stick hanging around his neck. The one shop that didn't look through personal files and just loaded the thing up to check the problem was fixed didn't even charge her for labour for putting the card back in properly!

If I have a problem with my computers I try to fix it myself first!

DerHoggz · #10 06-09-2010, 07:34 AM

AOL got into big trouble awhile back for leaking a list of a lot of their customers searches.

Woodchuck · #11 06-09-2010, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i hate username

Your not that interesting....No one is reading you mail.

Ah, to be so carefree and trusting. Btw, how's the weather in Fantasyland?

ssbass · #12 06-09-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Crawford

My Blackberry was having problems the other day, so I took it in. The guy took it in the back, and it sparked my interest. How easy could he have looked through all my contacts, numbers, texts, etc., etc.

And that made me think, do companies like AOL, Skype, Facebook, etc., monitor their chats/video chats? Could a phone company random look at your texts?

I was just thinking about this, brought it up to some friends, and we all wondered. Kinda reminds me of the "big brother" thing.

YES YES AND YES

mindbass · #13 06-09-2010, 10:49 AM

google downloaded everything form everyone's computer that was on an open wifi network while taking pictures for their street view program in germany. google claims that this happened by accident and that the data was subsequently 'lost'. google got caught in germany, but i wouldn't be surprised at all if this happened everywhere.

Pilgrim · #14 06-09-2010, 11:10 AM

Don't forget that our much-beloved Dept. of Homeland Security does use computers to monitor phone conversations nationwide looking for key phrases...I'm sure that's just the tip of the iceberg with them.

JmJ · #15 06-09-2010, 11:26 AM

Facebook

ssbass · #16 06-09-2010, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Don't forget that our much-beloved Dept. of Homeland Security does use computers to monitor phone conversations nationwide looking for key phrases...I'm sure that's just the tip of the iceberg with them.

They also monitor emails.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #17 06-09-2010, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mindbass

google downloaded everything form everyone's computer that was on an open wifi network while taking pictures for their street view program in germany. google claims that this happened by accident and that the data was subsequently 'lost'. google got caught in germany, but i wouldn't be surprised at all if this happened everywhere.

They downloaded everything?

They must've speeded up everyone's wi-fi at the same time.

**jmattbassplaya** · #18 06-09-2010, 12:45 PM

This is why when the revolution happens we will all resort back to carrier pigeons to send messages

TheVoiceless · #19 06-09-2010, 12:46 PM

Privacy is so 90's

Its time to get used to the idea that hiding information will be harder then ever. I have come to terms with the idea that if someone wants to know something about me they can find it out pretty easy these days. Hopefully it will promote more honesty, for better for worse.

MatticusMania · #20 06-09-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVoiceless

Privacy is so 90's

Its time to get used to the idea that hiding information will be harder then ever. I have come to terms with the idea that if someone wants to know something about me they can find it out pretty easy these days. Hopefully it will promote more honesty, for better for worse.

The only places you can really keep things private these days are 1)On paper, in a secure location that only you know or 2)In your head.