Summer Security Rant Part 1: Wireless Carriers

How much privacy are you giving up to your wireless carrier?

Hello LinkedIn peeps! I have been fairly quiet these past few months, so just in case you thought I had mellowed…

WELCOME!

To my... //summer-security-rant... Part 1 of 2 ??

As you know, any device, app, or platform that you interact with could potentially be collecting and sharing your information:

?? Some of these interactions you can see, some you can’t.?

?? Some you knowingly agreed to, while others may be buried in the legalese of that policy you didn’t read.?

?? Others are camouflaged in a “grey area” of interpretation.?

?? And some are not listed anywhere.?

?? We will cover examples of all of these in Parts 1&2.

Let's get started!

Wireless Carriers:

The FCC’s fine of 3 wireless carriers (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) makes this a timely privacy reminder.

FCC Press Release, April 29, 2024:

Carriers Sold Access to Location Data to Third Parties Without Customer Consent and Continued to Do So Without Reasonable Safeguards

Do you know:

1. How much privacy are you giving up to your wireless carrier?
2. What you can do to protect your privacy with carriers?
3. How accountability for your privacy is being enforced?

The reality is that phone communication is a staple in our society. Our analog “landlines” became digital many years ago, and each year mobile phones become more ingrained in our culture.?

The privacy practices of the big smartphone players are frequently in the news, keeping them top-of-mind - BUT - understanding the privacy practices of your wireless carrier is just as important, although it may be easier to overlook.

Your wireless carrier has access to your real-time location data.?

This data can be used to determine:

? when you are home

? when your children are home alone (their phone is active at home, yours is not)

? where your children go to school

? where you work

? if you are on vacation?

Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are far from alone in this sea of companies with access to our data.

Act accordingly. Protect your privacy. Always.

Before you sign with a carrier:

1. KNOW who can TRACK you, find you, and access your personal information.?
2. READ the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service before you “check this box to agree” (sucks but it’s necessary).
3. SAY NO to all options that are not mandatory.
4. STAY UPDATED on the industry, laws, regulations, and proposed changes.
5. Know WHERE your data is stored and which countries it must travel through before it is stored with your carrier. Are there major differences in privacy regulation in any of these other countries?
6. Advocate for accountability and frequent carrier audits.

And remember -

Your wireless carrier isn’t the only entity with this ability.?

And if you don’t think it affects you today - what about tomorrow??

What about the next invasion of your privacy that quietly makes its way into an update of one (or many) of those “terms of use” agreements you have signed? Do you track and read the updates as well?

These caveats apply to every one of us. Every day.

We need to be safe both online and offline. For ourselves, our children, our friends, and our colleagues. AND for our business, our clients, and our investors.?

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Stay tuned! Coming up in the next newsletter:

?? Wifi/Bluetooth (Part 2) & Devices, Apps, Platforms (Part 3)

?? If you found this newsletter helpful, please share it with your friends and colleagues. Let's work together to create a safer digital community!

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?? Change a couple of passwords!

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