Social media and data brokers, presented at 2013 DragonCon EFForums with Randal Schwartz

Social Media & Data Brokers

Sarah A. Downey, @SarahADowney

Randal L. Schwartz, @Merlyn

education level

estimated net worth

types of recent purchases

number of kids

religious & political views

marital status

mortgage amount

investments

salary

habits (like smoking & gambling)

contact info

How they know it: involuntary

How they know it: voluntary

Uses (and misuses)

• Lowered credit scores and credit limits

• Price discrimination• Denial of insurance

coverage, or more expensive coverage

• Lost job opportunities• Stalking, harassment

• Identity theft• Filter bubbles• Censorship of speech

and association due to fear of later repercussions

• Erosion of the 4th Amendment

Online + offline melding

Brick & mortar store

Opting out: it’s hardEnclosed circles show affiliation between sites (same opt-out procedure, same parent company, and/or shared databases)

/ /

DIY: abine.com/optouts.php

Facial recognition

Privacy tips

1. Guard your info2. Opt out3. Smart profile pics4. Block trackers5. Use alias data6. Support privacy orgs

abine.com/maskme

Be vigilant about your personal info, and happy Dragon Con.

Thanks!

Sarah A. Downey @SarahADowney

sarah@sarahadowney.com

Randal L. Schwartz@Merlynmerlyn@stonehenge.com