Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!hp-pcd!hp-vcd!johne From: johne@hp-vcd.HP.COM (John Eaton) Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk Subject: Re: Information Control Message-ID: <6750013@hp-vcd.HP.COM> Date: 21 Mar 91 23:27:42 GMT References: Organization: Hewlett Packard, Vancouver, WA Lines: 30 <<< < getting longer. And it is unfortunate but currently true that the < only "free flow of information" is from me to them-- in general, in my < experience, simply asking a representative of a business you're < dealing with "Is your company selling customer information, if so to < whom?" doesn't get you anywhere. (Ask the Customer Service people at < your bank who they've sold your name to lately. They won't know, or < they won't tell you.) ---------------- Discussing privacy issues with you local bank clerk is about as useful as discussing calculus with your cat. You seem to get the same vacant stare that indicates they haven't the slightest clue of what the problem even means. Institutions of all levels have no concept at all of privacy. To them information is a comodity to do with as they please. Your only protection is to never give out any info that you don't want to leak out. The problem is that most us were once young and poor and would tell anybody anything in order to get Credit. That info is now impossible to control. What we need is a good book on Stealth living. Tips on what an average citizen can do to keep in control of his personal information. Perhaps we can make using personal data in commission of a crime liable for an extra hash sentance in the same manner as using a gun. An example would be a thief who collects plate numbers from airport long term parking and then uses DMV records to find the home addresses. John Eaton !hp-vcd!johne