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EPIC Urges State AGs to Pursue Microsoft Passport

Posted by michael on from the license-to-surf dept.

An anonymous submitter sent: "The Electronic Privacy Information Center has sent a letter to all state attorneys general urging them to pursue Microsoft Passport under state consumer protection laws."

3 of 244 comments (clear)

  1. Similarity by mirko · · Score: 5, Interesting

    In addition to the unwarranted collection of consumer data, Microsoft offers no method to delete a Passport registration. Microsoft claims
    that Passport gives users control of their personal information. However, the most basic aspect of control--the right to take back one's
    personal information--is not accommodated by the Passport system.

    Note that one can't delete his Slashdot account either. which could actually be the source of some trouble as if he suddenly changes his mind about whichever opinion or way to express it he has, there'd be a way to track his former behaviour if the account he opened was named like him and we know for sure how much we change over the time (maybe from the pro-patent to anti-patent or from the extremist to the moderate).

    Though I dislike to add such disclaimer in my Slashdot post, I'd like to point out that I don't want this comment to be considered as a troll neither it is off-topic.

    This is just a way to point out that we should ensure that noone may reproach us with the sam ethings that are being reproached to Microsoft or whoever else.

    Back to the article, now: what sort of effect does such a letter have?

    --
    Trolling using another account since 2005.
  2. Passport Roach Motel by Alderete · · Score: 5, Interesting
    I once signed up for a Passport account, because Microsoft was giving me 20% off the price of a TiVo (or any electronics item at 800.com) if I paid for it with Passport (then called something else).

    Now I'd like to get out of the system, because I don't trust it to be secure, but because I've forgotten my password, I can't.

    Go to the Passport site (http://www.passport.com) and look; there's no FAQ or other document that tells you how to cancel your account. Nor is there any e-mail address of anyone who might be able to help you do it manually.

    So, when you hear Passport adoption statistics, subtract at least one. I've never used my Passport a second time, but can't get rid of it, after trying for weeks.

  3. remember: When giving private info by bluGill · · Score: 5, Interesting

    You are born in 1998, your zip code is 82312, your gender is none of their buisness (and if they instist use a coin to decide). Nor is your race, religion, or the type of car you drive their buisness.

    Reasons for the above: In the US only minors have privacy protection, so by putting down a birthdate of 1998 you are under those laws as far as they know. Your physical address is none of their buisness, unless you are buying something from them. (and so far I've never had a problem with the venders who I buy from though there are bad apples out there). Your gender, race, religion, etc is none of their buiseness, on the net nobody knows you are a dog! Refuse to answer, or anser randomly. Randomly means sometimes you give the right answer, because if you always gave the wrong answer that in itself would be a clue.

    Remember invalid data that they have is less valiuable then not having data at all in many cases.