Search This Blog
Powered by Blogger.

Blog Archive

Labels

Load More
Trendy Right Now

Popular Posts

Showing posts with label Data Brokers. Show all posts
Spam Calls
Cyber Security Data Brokers Data Removal data security Data Theft Identity Theft online data risks Spam Calls

How Incogni Helps Protect Your Digital Privacy and Reduces Spam

 

Managing unwanted spam messages, calls, and emails has become a necessary part of online life today. Beyond annoyance, these can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and other issues. Much of this activity is driven by advertisers and marketing companies, which rely on data brokers who collect, store, and sell personal data for profit. In response, data removal services like Incogni have emerged to protect online privacy. Developed by Surfshark, Incogni uses automation to simplify and expedite the process of deleting personal data from these brokers’ databases. 

Incogni is designed for ease of use and requires minimal user intervention. Users authorize Incogni to handle the data removal requests with just a few initial steps. Once signed up, Incogni handles the technical legwork of filing removal requests with data brokers on the user’s behalf. It also regularly re-checks databases to ensure that data brokers don’t re-acquire the user’s information, providing ongoing protection. Incogni then tracks and organizes each request through a clean, user-friendly dashboard that categorizes requests by status, such as “sent,” “in progress,” or “completed.” The demand for Incogni reflects growing concerns over the security of personal information. When sensitive data is leaked or accessed by malicious actors, the consequences can be severe, ranging from identity theft to financial fraud.

For many, manually contacting data brokers is too complex and time-consuming. Incogni’s automation offers an efficient alternative, saving users considerable effort while giving them peace of mind about their digital privacy. Incogni is available as a standalone service, but it can also be bundled with Surfshark’s other cybersecurity tools, such as real-time data breach alerts, antivirus software, and an ad blocker, under the Surfshark One+ plan. Incogni’s appeal is in its accessibility and price. Competing data removal services like DeleteMe, Optery, Kanary, and Privacy Bee offer similar features but are often more expensive or complex. DeleteMe, for example, tracks a larger list of brokers but is more costly. Incogni balances affordability with essential functionality, making it a practical choice for users who want effective, no-frills data removal. 

This service is ideal for people who receive excessive spam or have concerns about personal information being exposed in a data breach. Additionally, for anyone who has already faced cybercrime, Incogni helps reduce ongoing risks by limiting the spread of their personal data online. While Incogni lacks some detailed tracking features offered by its competitors, it remains highly effective at what it does, making it a convenient option for most users. With an emphasis on simplicity, Incogni lets users reclaim privacy without extensive technical knowledge, automating much of the process. By reducing users’ digital footprint and preventing misuse of their information, Incogni offers an efficient layer of security in a landscape where personal data is frequently at risk.
Read more »
OnStar Smart Driver
Automobile Car Data Cyber Security Data Brokers data misuse Data Privacy Data Safety Data Stolen EFF GPS OnStar Smart Driver

The Hidden Cost of Connected Cars: Your Driving Data and Insurance

 

Driving to a weekend getaway or a doctor's appointment leaves more than just a memory; it leaves a data trail. Modern cars equipped with internet capabilities, GPS tracking, or services like OnStar, capture your driving history. This data is not just stored—it can be sold to your insurance company. A recent report highlighted how ordinary driving activities generate a data footprint that can be sold to insurers. These data collections often occur through "safe driving" programs installed in your vehicle or connected car apps. Real-time tracking usually begins when you download an app or agree to terms on your car's dashboard screen. 

Car technology has evolved significantly since General Motors introduced OnStar in 1996. From mobile data enhancing navigation to telematics in the 2010s, today’s cars are more connected than ever. This connectivity offers benefits like emergency alerts, maintenance notifications, and software updates. By 2030, it's predicted that over 95% of new cars will have some form of internet connectivity. Manufacturers like General Motors, Kia, Subaru, and Mitsubishi offer services that collect and share your driving data with insurance companies. Insurers purchase this data to analyze your driving habits, influencing your "risk score" and potentially increasing your premiums. 

One example is the OnStar Smart Driver program, which collects data and sends it to manufacturers who then sell it to data brokers. These brokers resell the data to various buyers, including insurance companies. Following a critical report, General Motors announced it would stop sharing data with these brokers. Consumers often unknowingly consent to this data collection. Salespeople at dealerships may enroll customers without clear consent, motivated by bonuses. The lengthy and complex “terms and conditions” disclosures further obscure the process, making it hard for consumers to understand what they're agreeing to. Even diligent readers struggle to grasp the full extent of data collection. 

This situation leaves consumers under constant surveillance, with their driving data monetized without their explicit consent. This extends beyond driving, impacting various aspects of daily life. To address these privacy concerns, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) advocates for comprehensive data privacy legislation with strong data minimization rules and clear, opt-in consent requirements. Such legislation would ensure that only necessary data is collected to provide requested services. For example, while location data might be needed for emergency assistance, additional data should not be collected or sold. 

Consumers need to be aware of how their data is processed and have control over it. Opt-in consent rules are crucial, requiring companies to obtain informed and voluntary permission before processing any data. This consent must be clear and not hidden in lengthy, jargon-filled terms. Currently, consumers often do not control or even know who accesses their data. This lack of transparency and control highlights the need for stronger privacy protections. By enforcing opt-in consent and data minimization, we can better safeguard personal data and maintain privacy.
Read more »
Personal Data
Cyber Security Data Brokers data security Doxxed Health health care industry Information Security Personal Data

Safeguarding Reproductive Health Workers: Addressing Risks Posed by Data Brokers and Doxxing

 

In today's interconnected digital landscape, the acquisition and dissemination of personal data have reached unprecedented levels, posing significant risks to individuals across various sectors, including reproductive health workers. At the forefront of this modern dilemma are entities known as data brokers, whose operations remain relatively unregulated, amplifying the potential dangers of doxxing — a malicious practice where private contact information is exposed to facilitate harassment. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for enhanced data protection measures and stricter regulations to safeguard individuals' privacy and security. 

Data brokers, often operating discreetly in the background, specialize in the collection, aggregation, and sale of personal information obtained from various sources, including public records, online activities, and commercial transactions. While their activities may seem innocuous on the surface, the sheer volume and scope of data amassed by these entities raise profound concerns about privacy and security. 

Reproductive health workers, in particular, face heightened risks in this digital age. As individuals dedicated to providing essential healthcare services, they often find themselves targeted by those seeking to exploit personal information for nefarious purposes. From medical professionals offering reproductive health services to counselors providing support and guidance, these professionals are entrusted with sensitive information about their clients, making them potential targets for doxxing and harassment. 

The danger of doxxing lies in its ability to weaponize personal information, turning it into a tool for intimidation, harassment, and even physical harm. By exposing individuals' contact details, including home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, doxxers can subject their targets to a barrage of malicious activities, ranging from harassing phone calls and threatening messages to real-world stalking and violence. For reproductive health workers, whose work often intersects with contentious social and political issues, the risks associated with doxxing can be particularly acute. 

Compounding the problem is the lax regulatory environment surrounding data brokers. Unlike other industries subject to stringent privacy regulations, such as healthcare and finance, data brokers operate in a largely unregulated space, with minimal oversight and accountability. This lack of regulation not only enables data brokers to continue their operations unchecked but also exacerbates the risks associated with doxxing and data breaches. Addressing the challenges posed by data brokers and doxxing requires a multifaceted approach. 

Firstly, there is a pressing need for stronger privacy regulations and oversight mechanisms to rein in the activities of data brokers and protect individuals' personal information. By imposing stricter guidelines on the collection, storage, and dissemination of personal data, regulators can help mitigate the risks of doxxing and safeguard individuals' privacy rights. 

Additionally, organizations and individuals must take proactive steps to enhance their data security practices and protect against potential threats. This includes implementing robust cybersecurity measures, such as encryption, firewalls, and access controls, to safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access and exploitation. 

Moreover, fostering a culture of privacy and security awareness among employees and stakeholders can help mitigate the risk of data breaches and ensure that personal information is handled responsibly and ethically. 

The rise of data brokers and the proliferation of doxxing pose significant challenges to individuals' privacy and security, particularly for reproductive health workers. To address these challenges effectively, concerted efforts are needed to strengthen privacy regulations, enhance data security practices, and promote awareness of the risks associated with doxxing. By taking proactive steps to protect personal information and hold data brokers accountable, we can create a safer and more secure digital environment for all.
Read more »
Privacy
CFPB Regulations Data Brokers Micro-Targeting National Security Privacy

National Security at Risk: The CFPB’s Battle Against Data Brokers

The CFPB’s Battle Against Data Brokers

Data brokers work in secrecy, collecting personal details about our lives. These entities collect, and misuse our personal information without our explicit consent. 

The Rise of Data Brokers

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has taken notice, and their proposed regulations seek to hold data brokers accountable by subjecting them to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This move transcends mere privacy concerns—it is a matter of national security.

For instance, data brokers can facilitate targeting individuals by allowing entities to purchase lists that match multiple categories, such as “Intelligence and Counterterrorism” combined with descriptors like “substance abuse,” “heavy drinker,” or even “behind on bills.” 

In other contexts, entities can buy records for pennies per person, leveraging relatively small investments into mass data collection. The concern is that adversaries, including countries like China, can use this data to identify targets for surveillance and other purposes. The government is increasingly worried about foreign governments’ access to Americans’ data.

The CFPB’s Call to Action

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau intends to propose new regulations that will compel data brokers to follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Earlier this month, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra stated that the agency is looking into rules to "ensure greater accountability" for companies that buy and sell consumer data, in line with an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in late February.

Chopra added that the agency is examining suggestions that would classify data brokers who sell specific categories of data as "consumer reporting agencies," requiring them to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The statute prohibits the sharing of certain types of data with companies unless they have a legally defined purpose.

The CFBP considers the purchase and sale of consumer data to be a national security issue rather than a privacy concern. Chopra cited three large data breaches—the 2015 Anthem leak, the 2017 Equifax hack, and the 2018 Marriott breach—as instances of foreign enemies illegally collecting Americans' personal information.  

The National Security Angle

He said, "When Americans' health information, financial information, and even their travel whereabouts can be assembled into detailed dossiers, it's no surprise that this raises risks when it comes to safety and security,". However, the attention on high-profile intrusions hides a more widespread, entirely legal phenomenon: data brokers' capacity to sell precise personal information to anyone willing to pay for it. 

The government is increasingly concerned about foreign governments gaining access to Americans' data. In March, the House passed legislation that would bar data brokers from selling Americans' personally identifiable information to "any entity controlled by a foreign adversary." 

Why Data Brokers Matter

According to the Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act, data brokers would be facing fines from the Federal Trade Commission if they sold sensitive information — such as location or health data — to any person or business situated in a few countries. The Senate has yet to vote on the legislation.

US government agencies also depend on data brokers to keep surveillance on Americans. In 2022, the American Civil Liberties Union released a series of files exposing how the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) exploited location data to track the movement of millions of cell phones — and the users who own them — across the United States.

Read more »
US Congress
Cyber Security Data Brokers National Security Privacy Bill Threat Intelligence US Congress

Data Brokers are Preparing to Challenge Privacy Legislation

 

Congress has been attempting to crack down on data brokers, and they are fighting back. In late March, the House voted unanimously to ban the sale of Americans' data to foreign rivals. And a data-collecting provision is included in the bill reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the contentious act that authorises the National Security Agency, which is set to expire later this month. 

Negotiations over FISA's reauthorization became so heated that House Speaker Mike Johnson pulled the bill from consideration in February. The most contentious issue was an amendment proposed by Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) that would bar data brokers from selling customer data to law enforcement and require a warrant to access Americans' information, according to Politico's Influence newsletter in February. 

National security hawks in Congress and local law enforcement groups joined forces to oppose the amendment, with the National Sheriffs' Association alleging in a letter to Congress that it would "kneecap law enforcement". 

"On House amendments, the Sheriffs of this great country don't usually keep score. But on this one, we will keep score and know who our friends are by their votes against Congressman Davidson's amendment, which further erodes the rule of law in our country and empowers the cartels," the letter stated. 

With FISA about to expire at the end of the month, Congress will undoubtedly bring it up again. Some legislators have indicated that they are unlikely to support the bill unless privacy updates are included. "We must have these amendments. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), leader of the House Judiciary Committee, told Politico in February that "there's no way we're not going to have them.” 

Data brokers also seem to be entering the fight. Politico's Influence newsletter revealed that early this year, when the amendment was being discussed in the House, Relx, the parent company of data analytics company LexisNexis, based in the United Kingdom, hired the lobbying firm Venable. 

Recently, criticism of other Relx subsidiaries' data collecting and distribution policies has also surfaced. The New York Times revealed in March that a number of automakers were providing LexisNexis Risk Solutions with driving records of their clients, who then sold the data to insurance firms.
Read more »
Technology
Data Brokerage Data Brokers Data collection data security Privacy Invasion Technology

Data Broker Tracked Visitors to Jeffrey Epstein’s Island, New Report Reveals

 

The saga surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender with ties to numerous wealthy and influential figures, continues to unfold with alarming revelations surfacing about the extent of privacy intrusion. Among the latest reports is the shocking revelation that a data broker actively tracked visitors to Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James, leveraging their mobile data to monitor their movements. This discovery has ignited a firestorm of controversy and renewed concerns about privacy rights and the unchecked power of data brokers. 

For years, Epstein's island remained shrouded in secrecy, known only to a select few within his inner circle. However, recent investigations have shed light on the island's dark activities and the prominent individuals who frequented its shores. Now, the emergence of evidence suggesting that a data broker exploited mobile data to monitor visits to the island has cast a disturbing spotlight on the invasive tactics employed by third-party entities. 

The implications of this revelation are profound and far-reaching. It raises serious questions about the ethical boundaries of data collection and surveillance in the digital age. While the practice of tracking mobile data is not new, its use in monitoring individuals' visits to sensitive and controversial locations like Epstein’s island underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the data brokerage industry. 

At its core, the issue revolves around the fundamental right to privacy and the protection of personal data. In an era where our every move is tracked and recorded, often without our knowledge or consent, the need for robust data protection regulations has never been more pressing. Without adequate safeguards in place, individuals are vulnerable to exploitation and manipulation by unscrupulous actors seeking to profit from their private information. 

Moreover, the revelation highlights the broader societal implications of unchecked data surveillance. It serves as a stark reminder of the power wielded by data brokers and the potential consequences of their actions on individuals' lives. From wealthy elites to everyday citizens, no one is immune to the pervasive reach of data tracking and monitoring. 

In response to these revelations, there is a growing call for increased transparency and accountability in the data brokerage industry. Individuals must be empowered with greater control over their personal data, including the ability to opt-out of invasive tracking practices. Additionally, regulators must step up enforcement efforts to hold data brokers accountable for any violations of privacy rights. 

As the investigation into the tracking of visitors to Epstein’s island continues, it serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to address the growing threats posed by unchecked data surveillance. Only through concerted action and meaningful reforms can we safeguard individuals' privacy rights and ensure a more ethical and responsible approach to data collection and usage in the digital age.
Read more »
revenue
class-action complaint Customer Trust Cyber Security Data Brokers digital badges driving habits General Motors insurance industry internet-connected cars OnStar Smart Driver privacy processes revenue

General Motors Ceases Sharing Driver Behavior Data with Data Brokers

 


General Motors announced on Friday that it ceased sharing information on driving habits of its customers with two data brokers involved in creating risk assessments for insurance companies.

This decision came in response to a recent report by The New York Times revealing that General Motors had been sharing data on mileage, braking, acceleration, and speed of drivers with the insurance industry for several years. These data were collected through the OnStar Smart Driver feature in General Motors' internet-connected cars, often without the drivers' knowledge. This feature gathered driving data and offered feedback and digital rewards for safe driving.

Some drivers reported that their insurance premiums increased due to the shared data, which General Motors provided to two brokers, LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Verisk, who then sold it to insurance firms.

A spokesperson for General Motors, Malorie Lucich, stated via email that since Wednesday, they have halted the sharing of OnStar Smart Driver customer data with LexisNexis or Verisk. Lucich emphasized the company's commitment to customer trust and stated that they are actively reviewing their privacy procedures and policies.

In response to the situation, Romeo Chicco from Florida, whose insurance rates nearly doubled after his Cadillac's driving data was collected, filed a complaint seeking class-action status against General Motors, OnStar, and LexisNexis.

An internal document, examined by The New York Times, indicated that as of 2022, over eight million vehicles were enrolled in the Smart Driver program. A company insider revealed that the program's annual revenue was in the low millions of dollars.
Read more »
Personal Information
Credit Reports Cyber Attacks Data Brokers Data Sharing Personal Information

How to Protect Your Personal Financial Information from Data Brokers


In today’s digital age, personal information is a hot commodity. Data brokers buy and sell this information, often without our knowledge or consent. This can include sensitive financial information, which can be used for identity theft or other fraudulent activities.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your personal financial information from data brokers. 

Here are some tips to help you fight back:

1. Monitor your credit reports: Regularly check your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to ensure that there are no unauthorized accounts or inquiries. If you find any suspicious activity, report it immediately.

2. Freeze your credit: Consider placing a security freeze on your credit reports. This will prevent anyone from accessing your credit report without your permission, making it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.

3. Opt-out of data sharing: Many companies share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. You can opt-out of this by contacting the company directly and requesting that they stop sharing your information.

4. Use strong passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. This will make it more difficult for hackers to access your accounts and steal your personal information.

5. Be cautious when sharing personal information: Be cautious when sharing personal information online or over the phone. Only provide this information when it is absolutely necessary and when you are sure that the person or company requesting it is legitimate.

Protecting your personal financial information from data brokers is important for preventing identity theft and other fraudulent activities. 

By following these tips, you can take control of your personal information and keep it safe from prying eyes.

Read more »
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)