this post was submitted on 07 Aug 2023
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Privacy
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A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.
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.
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Something needs to happen to clue in the average person about why this is such a problem. I don't know what that something is though. Continued breaches of privacy? The government and police continuing to make obvious use of the data they can easily buy from any of these companies? What is it going to take for people to care and for laws to be made to prevent more of this going forward?
I was talking to my insurance company the other day and they warned me that if I make any changes to my policy they'll drastically jack up my rate because of the changes in the economy. But I can bring it down a bit if I install their tracking software on my phone that can interface with my vehicle and send all of my driving data to them. It would tell them everywhere I ever go whenever I drive, my exact speed at any moment, braking habits, etc. Does anyone ever say yes to this? Do people realize that they could sift through everything you've ever done effortlessly with AI to find that one time in your life you came to a rolling stop at a deserted stop sign and claim you're a dangerous driver who doesn't follow the rules of the road in order to deny your claim?
Is there a chance in hell that one day this won't be a requirement just to have vehicle insurance? Why isn't everyone up in arms about their data being harvested and sold to the highest bidder? Why are there not laws being made against this kind of undemocratic, authoritarian control over people? I am so disappointed in my fellow man, both the ones guilty of the harvesting and everyone who couldn't be bothered to complain and put a stop to this.
It already is. The average citizen just doesn't give a crap about privacy.
This is why free (libre) software is important
Have to have some kind of hardware to run that software on. And that hardware needs proprietary drivers.
Hardware is ridiculously expensive to develop and manufacture so don't count on any competition that isn't already doing it.
This is when you sternly warn the agent/sales rep that this behavior will result in you seeking a new insurance company AND agent for all of your needs
I did. He assured me in more professional terms that they don't give a shit. I do a lot of business with them and have been a client in good standing since I became an adult. They apparently have nothing set up to retain customers who leave over this, which would indicate that hasn't been an issue for them. Or they might be banking on me not following through, but that just means they don't know me very well. When it comes time for me to make those changes to my policy, I'm gone.
Yeah they're probably banking on people not leaving. Depending on if that agent is good to you and if he/she is local; you should consider just asking them to help you shop around because you need "Change XYZ in your ABC policy" and you need a provider who isn't going to shaft you for making that change.
If they are not a local agent with access to multiple insurance providers...I guess find one locally.
Plenty of private companies to donate to. EFF is the first that comes to mind.
But spying on the public is ridiculously valuable to both corporations and government alike so it seems like an astronomical hill to climb.
I wonder if it'd be worth spoofing packets with some automation? Get that sweet discount and still maintain your privacy?
If insurance companies mandate tracking I could see new efforts to do this like piracy and adblocking came about.
Imagine getting caught and having your claim denied or being sued for insurance fraud. I'm happy to use ublock origin, but what you're describing is playing with fire. We need to make sure it never gets to this point in the first place by making it illegal for insurance companies to do this.
I see your point. What a scary world.
Oh crap I was about to try changes to my auto policy on the lizard's online portal to see if I could get it any cheaper while still having enough liability, uninsured, property damage, collision and comprehensive for my litigious state. Glad I saw your warning not to consider modifications in this screwy market. Thank you!
I still may shop it to a different company before my end-August 45% rate hike. Not considering the phone spyware discount though, for the reasons you mentioned.