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World Privacy Forum's Top Ten Opt-Outs

Posted by kdawson on from the do-not-want dept.

Ant writes in to mention the World Privacy Forum's top ten information collector/user list, which shows opt-out instructions (or at least a starting point): "As privacy experts, we are frequently asked about 'opting out,' and which opt outs we think are the most important. This list is a distillation of ideas for opting out that the World Privacy Forum has developed over the years from responding to those questions. ... Many people have told us that they think opting out is confusing. We agree. Opting out can range from the not-too-difficult (the FTC's Do Not Call list is a fairly simple opt out) to the challenging (the National Advertising Initiative (NAI) opt out can be tricky). Our hope is that this list will clarify which opt out does what, and how to go about opting out. In this list, some opt outs can be done by phone, some have to be sent in a letter via postal mail, and some can be accomplished online. Some opt outs last forever, some have time limits, and others can be changed at will. If an opt out is on this list, it is because we thought it might be important enough to be worth whatever annoyance it may pose. "

9 of 162 comments (clear)

  1. The Wrong Approach by afabbro · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How about making everything in the world an opt-in by default?

    For example, I don't recall announcing that I want telemarketers to call me, so why should I have to opt-out?

    --
    Advice: on VPS providers
    1. Re:The Wrong Approach by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      well that's simple, it's because the telemarketers automatically opt-in'd you into their call 24/7 list.

    2. Re:The Wrong Approach by Kratisto · · Score: 5, Funny

      somegobbledygook@mailinator.com fucking HATES you, and the server admins aren't too happy either.

      --
      Conscience is the inner voice which warns us that someone may be looking.
    3. Re:The Wrong Approach by KDR_11k · · Score: 5, Funny

      Don't worry, the list is located in Alpha Centauri and requires showing up in person to be added.

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
  2. Telemarketing is a good opt-out but... by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Face it, the types of emails that you want to opt out from are exactly the ones that do not honor opt-out lists.

    Remember when you first tried to ride a bike and your dad pushed you so hard that you fell over and skinned your knees and bloodied your nose? This is like taking that swing at him that you always wanted to. Unfortunately at that age, no matter what you do, he wasn't ever affected by your little attacks and rants.

    1. Re:Telemarketing is a good opt-out but... by AuMatar · · Score: 5, Informative

      No, I don't. Mainly because my dad wasn't an asshole.

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      I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
    2. Re:Telemarketing is a good opt-out but... by cypherwise · · Score: 5, Funny

      Remember when you first tried to ride a bike and your dad pushed you so hard that you fell over and skinned your knees and bloodied your nose?

      At least you live up to your name...

  3. World? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    For something from the World Privacy Forum it didn't really give much info for people that don't live in the US.

  4. Opt-in actually makes more business sense. by Shag · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Using opt-in saves you the cost of marketing to people who don't want your stuff, saves you the cost of storing data about them, and saves you from the negative word-of-mouth opt-out causes.

    I've run opt-in marketing campaigns, and have converted multiple employers from opt-out to opt-in. Before the switch, every mailout would result in an inbox full of complaints and threats. After the switch to opt-in, people would actually mail us asking where the ads were, if we were late.

    I'll take opt-in over opt-out any day.

    --
    Village idiot in some extremely smart villages.