Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.
In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.
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IRL, you're not a VIP so you won't be targeted alone.
If you have to do the internet route, prepaid cards, minimal info, and pick-up locations are best, don't deliver to your door. You could maybe deliver it to your post office too, that may be an option.
IRL : I'd argue most security cameras are, AFAIK, on closed circuits. I don't think they can upload the data somewhere nor keep it for a long time. Also it takes quite a bit of power to process so unless there is a good reason for it, I doubt anybody nor even a computer vision algorithm, will process it to the point of face recognition.
Online : virtual credit card (not sure if they need your name) + PO box, post office or next door store compatible with the online shop. Most online shop I know do NOT require a mobile phone number. They might have a field for it but they are not using it for e.g. 2FA so if you were, by mistake or not, to put a random number I don't think it would matter.
So at least some of the constraints can be changed.
IRL : I’d argue most security cameras are, AFAIK, on closed circuits. I don’t think they can upload the data somewhere nor keep it for a long time
It does depend. Most big retailers share CCTV footage with each other through a central company to build a profile on shoplifters (though I wouldn't trust them to use it only for that)
Most online shop I know do NOT require a mobile phone number.
This definitely hasn't been my experience though. I can't remember the last time I saw an online retailer that didn't require one, or at least require that the field be filled out. I suppose you could just enter a dummy number but then if there's a problem with the delivery they'll always try to contact you by phone first
I actually asked this morning at the post office specifically thinking about your remarks.
They do sell non denominative credit cards here. So your card is KYC (I imagine, I don't think it's possible to go around that) and they know who you are, ID and all, but stores, online or not, have no name associated to it.
Regarding online stores I do again advise to be cautious and not assume that because a contact field is there, it is mandatory. Yes it might be important for deliveries of parcels but that's a moot point if delivery happens to a 24/7 box.
At some point, you're going to have to trust someone. Bottom line. Tho I am diligent about being as self sustainable as possible, there are times when I do have to avail modern conveniences. Some of the things I may need can not be sourced local. That means online shopping, no matter how I may feel about shopping online. Back in the day, you'd have to travel fairly far to purchase what was needed. That may not be feasible anymore.
Sometimes privacy, anonymity, and security are not set in stone policies. Sometimes it's a rolling target.
Second hand sales and flee markets, no cameras (mostly true) and you can pay cash.
One thing that's worth keeping in mind: physical retailers may have cameras, but they (in general) rotate their recordings and don't provide an API for law enforcement. By contrast, any data that an online service gets is probably stored forever, possibly across multiple companies. If you do pick up the online package at a physical store, then you're losing most of the benefits, so you also need to provide an address.
That being said, much of China and some of the US have significant outdoor surveillance camera networks. These usually do provide law enforcement with real time, AI search, and may keep recordings for a very long
For me, as a Canadian, I'd consider physical stores more private, maybe putting on generic clothing and a mask if it's really important. If your city has its own surveillance system, that might be different for you. Though really, in that case, you should be more concerned about pushing for the cameras to be removed, or failing that looking into moving elsewhere: it is not sufficient to have privacy only online, only from major storefronts.
One thing that’s worth keeping in mind: physical retailers may have cameras, but they (in general) rotate their recordings and don’t provide an API for law enforcement.
They may not give law enforcement direct access but they absolutely upload and share their recordings with third party companies and other retailers. I don't know how long they keep it for but storage space is incredibly cheap these days
Privacy while shopping in person is literally impossible these days, so I don't even try there.
I know I'm recorded dozens if not hundreds of times by cameras and other devices every time I leave home. Apartment building security cams, neighbors' doorbell cams, public transit cams, police surveillance cams, dashcams, retail cams. There are thousands of automated license plate readers in my state. My car has four cams and sends all sorts of data back to the manufacturer. My apartment front door is electronic and it logs all locks & unlocks. My building's parking garage logs every time I enter and exit. Virtually every intersection has surveillance cams (not just red light cams). Hell even when hiking you'll end up on trail cams.
Last month police in my metro used outdoor surveillance cams to falsely accuse a woman of package theft and the cop that visited her home told her, “You know we have cameras in that town. You can’t get a breath of fresh air in or out of that place without us knowing."
Your best bet for privacy while shopping is if you walk everywhere, pay with cash and wear a mask. And even if you do all that, gait-recognition technology will be widespread in the very near future and you'll be identifiable in public even while wearing a mask.
I hope I'll never have to live in a place like this, sounds terrifying. I moved out of a city because paying with card and having phone apps has been increasingly forced on citizens, but this is another league.
I have been deliberating this lately. Mainly due to online providers overreaching. I recently bought a small common office product. Click and collect. I ensured to click no comms/marketing. 2 times in the following 4 days I got an email offering an apple subscription from a no reply email address. I had to call and complain to get them to stop and they had the cheek to say they HAD to legally offer me this as it was free perk with my purchase. They didnt see how they could be wrong and tried to convince me this was not marketing and was infact a great deal for me. I asked him if I’d walked in store would I have been forced to somehow take the offer.
I am sick of my contact details and my spending ability being considered fair game.
You give them your money and that’s not enough they always want more.
I am sick of my contact details and my spending ability being considered fair game. You give them your money and that’s not enough they always want more.
Agreed. There was a time when only shitty free services did this (if you're not paying, you're the product!) but now every company under the sun wants to sell your data. If I ever buy something digital I always use a fake name/address/phone number and a gift card for payment. But with physical purchases it becomes tougher