How technology may possibly be used against those that file bankruptcy in the future

[BankruptPinoy]

Happy New Year everyone.

I don't want to be a downer, or make anyone paranoid or anything.

But, for example, my husband and I use google all the time. It has become part of our vocabulary. But the BBC and other news organizations have reported google is last in rankings in regard to privacy. Supposedly, google maintains records of all searches and IP addresses.

So, it is possible that in the future, say for example, you searched for bankruptcy and things like that, before filing. Then you made charges on a credit card, then filed later. Perhaps the credit card company would use technology against you? Claim that you planned to defraud them, even though you were really just planning for a bankruptcy?

I like to read news from the Electronic Frontier Foundation and
Katherine Albrecht, Ed.D, the author of "Spychips: How Major Corporations and Government Plan to Track Your Every Purchase and Watch Your Every Move".

Eric Schmidt, Google’s chief executive, recently said that Google is acquiring tons of personal information about each of its regular users, and one day google will be able to tell people how they should conduct almost every aspect of their lives.

"The goal is to enable Google users to be able to ask questions such as 'What shall I do tomorrow?' and 'What job shall I take?'" said Mr Schmidt.

For anybody that thinks about personal liberty and privacy, this is scary.

In addition to criminal activity, search engine logs, not just from google but from others as well, have already been used in civil cases, such as ones from the recording industry, usually targeting students because they don't have any money to fight.

I like science fiction, especially Philip K. Dick's works, like "Minority report" and "A Scanner Darkly."

I don't know if it's true, but supposedly a former CIA agent, Robert David Steele, has made claims that the CIA funded Google. I don't know if it's true, but something to think about.

Data mining could be used against us all the time in the future. Just something to think about. Maybe it's nothing to worry about...as if we all don't have enough problems to consider? lol

For privacy, some people are using laptops at wi-fi places. Places where wi-fi is free, at some schools, at some restaurants, bookstores, and coffee shops. But be careful about using email accounts and any personal information put online. That's what some privacy "experts" say.

Well, just kinda of a post expressing some of my fears. I worry about everything. Not a good way to start off the new yeah, eh, by worrying?

Happy New Year and enjoy watching the "Twilight Zone" marathon today! LOL

[One Half Full]

For privacy, some people are using laptops at wi-fi places. Places where wi-fi is free, at some schools, at some restaurants, bookstores, and coffee shops. But be careful about using email accounts and any personal information put online. That's what some privacy "experts" say.

Using an open network is a silly way to seek security. Wi-Fi and cell phones are equally "unsecure."

[BankruptPinoy]

HI One Half Full. You're right what you wrote.

However, my post was in the spirit of a different kind of security and privacy.

My concern, is, what if, say for example, ChoicePoint had, in some future time, information tied to individuals, say from google, gmail, about emails and search terms? Would that be a good thing?

The "experts" that I was quoting were referencing the idea of tracking in the future by corporations and governments and privacy while surfing the internet. This could be relevent in regard to possible future litigation. The NY Times just had an article about employees being fired for what they do after hours on the Internet as being un-appealing. I know of a personal case where a deputy was in Germany and posted a picture of himself with a beer. The sheriff fired him as he thought that was inappropriate behavior for a deputy. I should mention that the deputy was not in uniform in Germany.

A NY Times article also read about the late Henry Ford (he had something called Ford Sociology Dept. and its job was to spy on people at home) had his company go to his employees houses and watch them for what he deemed unacceptable behavior.

Kevin Mitnick's books are also good reads as well as Luna's "How to be Invisible."

But I must write this One Half Full, in regard to being anonymous on open unsecured networks, some recommend researching something call TorButton. For most, torbutton hasn't been breached yet by big media.

Is there really any security on the Internet? Will the sites we visit and our emails and our searches on the Internet be used against us, now or in the future?

Disclaimer: I am not advertising, soliciting, or otherwise spamming this forum in regard to torbutton, kevin mitnick, jj luna, choicepoint, google, the nytimes, katherine albrecht, eff, or anyone else. I am not recieving any compensation for my posts. Gee wheez...lol

[robivi3]

I think Ford's deal was called "The Service Department" or some equally harmless name. That may also have been the real name, the one you have. That they did. They made sure that you were Baptist, Church going and speaking english as I remember.

[One Half Full]

The media likes to project into the future. I am not sure what the rhetorical reason to publish a story about non-existent technology that may or may not work would be except to frighten people who might be paranoid about spying in the first place. Google may "want" certain things, but they don't have them now.

Also, I would say that the internet is not a "Legal document." You are not bound to tell the truth. I really do not see why or how any alphabetical organization can assume that you are giving any true accounting of yourself online, and thus, I can't see how they can use any information you give as evidence anywhere. As far as I know, anyone is allowed to research any subject without someone automatically assuming it pertains to their own life circumstances.

I'm actually less paranoid now. I really have had my eyes opened to the fact that I can "get away" with a lot more than I thought I could.

[chpxiii]

bah.

Employers are already doing Google searches on prospective employees names. Facebook, LiveJournal, and MySpace pages have been found and the contents of the prospective employee's page have been used (although it can't be proven) against them in the hiring decision.

[Runnin on empty]

Maybe we should start fashioning tinfoil hats for all new BKform members.

We can't go on living our lives in fear as to what may possibly happen someday.

[One Half Full]

It is rough when employers discriminate due to youthful indiscretions. It used to be (long before my time) that a person could make a few mistakes in life. I hear that the people who have been denied jobs because of this did things like posed nude, or did anti-social things. The funny thing is that maybe those people seeking those particular jobs just don't really match at heart, and maybe another career might fit better. For example, a person who blogged as a flaming liberal, might not fit in a button down world. I personally don't think I would try to get a job with companies so up tight that they have to check your former e-mails.

[AMISLANDER]

They're tracking us by our phones already....you just can't get all paranoid over this, we do not have any privacy anymore...they might as well come & get me now!

[BankruptPinoy]

Maybe we should start fashioning tinfoil hats for all new BKform members.

We can't go on living our lives in fear as to what may possibly happen someday.

Hi Runnin on empty. Thank you for the nice argumentum ad hominem welcome to the BK forum. LOL! Nice to meet you as well. I'm sure you were just teasing, but a smiley face or some other clue that you were teasing or joking, or at least a friendly "hello" would have been nice to read.

"If you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a small chance of survival. There may even be a worse case: you may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves." -Winston Churchill

"The American people should be made aware of the trend toward monopolization of the great public information vehicles and the concentration of more and more power over public opinion in fewer and fewer hands."--Spiro Agnew

Runnin, I must respectfully disagree with this statement, "We can't go on living our lives in fear as to what may possibly happen someday." How does being concerned about privacy rights, laws, and technology equate to living in fear? Fear is used to control us. But being aware and concerned is not the same thing as fear.

Anyone here ever read Abagnale's "Stealing Your Life", Mitnick's "The Art of Intrusion" and "The Art of Deception", and Luna's "How to be Invisible"? I think that those 3 authors offer some insight regarding privacy, especially in regard to filing bankruptcy and life after bankruptcy. (Not to mention "1984". All over the United States, Canada and Britain, surveillance camera systems are being installed on street corners, schools, in public bathrooms, in residential neighborhoods, and even in parks and forests. We are asked to trust the government and corporations that our privacy is being safeguarded?")

And thanks to everyone for the nice "hello" and welcome. Does it hurt any member here to write the words "hello" and "welcome"? Has our society degenerated so much that we view everyone as a "noob" and with disdain and or suspicion?

[Minnymouth]

HELLO - WELCOME TO THE FORUM..........

NOW, you have officially been welcomed...................

[Introuble2008]

I never use my real name on ANYTHING on the internet except for paying my bills.....so how would anyone -- boss or otherwise -- know what I was looking at?

[AMISLANDER]

Maybe we should start fashioning tinfoil hats for all new BKform members.

We can't go on living our lives in fear as to what may possibly happen someday.

GReat Idea! Me either...take me as I am or whatever!

[Cali]

bah.

Employers are already doing Google searches on prospective employees names. Facebook, LiveJournal, and MySpace pages have been found and the contents of the prospective employee's page have been used (although it can't be proven) against them in the hiring decision.

That is so true.

[Bandit]

Technology is being/going to be used against everyone and everything, right now and in the future.

They're tracking us by our phones already

by phone, by bank, at the gas pump, when you clock in & out for work, by what food you eat, types of movies you buy, emails, chat & forums are intercepted and hacked, by car, by toll,... maybe even what toilet paper we use and how much time it takes to do it.

The only area I feel technology is good for is to clean up the pollution, conserve resources & in certain medical/health areas. At least we can still send a letter by snail mail but that may become obsolete too. Twenty years down the road is going to be a very strange planet...only problem is, when the power/electric goes out, all this "Progress" also goes out. Maybe I will be dead & floating thru space & time by then

oh yah, I do like the LED flashlights