It is done, Amazon account deletion request sent

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Graham44

Both my building societies also do the same but they also provide alternatives, one uses a card reader, the other uses a password and two other forms of identification. The second one doesn't sound as secure but they are a proper building society so they don't offer current accounts which restricts what you can actually do online (mainly you can move money between accounts owned by you)

Yes, a card reader is one of the options here as well, but this means that you can only log in at home, unless you carry the reader and a computer/tablet with you everywhere. Not an option for someone without a car.

Password-based identification has not been used here for many years where financial transactions or sensitive information are concerned. I no longer even remember when it was last used. (Obviously, sites like various forums, online newspapers and magazines etc, still use it, but not anything requiring better security).

[Graham44]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Yes, a card reader is one of the options here as well, but this means that you can only log in at home, unless you carry the reader and a computer/tablet with you everywhere. Not an option for someone without a car.

Password-based identification has not been used here for many years where financial transactions or sensitive information are concerned. I no longer even remember when it was last used. (Obviously, sites like various forums, online newspapers and magazines etc, still use it, but not anything requiring better security).

Just out of interest - and probably not really relevant to this thread - do your banks/ building societies offer other ways of managing your accounts? I.e. do you still have branch based services - pay money in using passbooks, over the counter, draw money out over the counter etc or would they rather you do it all online and via cash machines?

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Graham44

Just out of interest - and probably not really relevant to this thread - do your banks/ building societies offer other ways of managing your accounts? I.e. do you still have branch based services - pay money in using passbooks, over the counter, draw money out over the counter etc or would they rather you do it all online and via cash machines?

Well, you can go physically to the bank office and do things there. Otherwise it's either online or cash machines.

Only one local bank, who also owns a retail chain, offers paying in/drawing out in their stores, and that's in a limited amount. Others only offer it in the office.

Most folks here have smartphones, even older people. My father got a smartphone in his seventies and learned to use it all by himself. My mother, who had zero interest in tech gadgets, never learned to use one and I managed her online services for her, using either a card reader or a cheap smartphone I bought for this purpose. I imagine that's also the case for other elderly or disabled people who don't have a smartphone, although there probably aren't many of those these days.

[Ebookus]

this channel (NBTV) is pretty interesting to anyone interested in online privacy and security. Highly recommended.

[Graham44]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Well, you can go physically to the bank office and do things there. Otherwise it's either online or cash machines.

Only one local bank, who also owns a retail chain, offers paying in/drawing out in their stores, and that's in a limited amount. Others only offer it in the office.

Most folks here have smartphones, even older people. My father got a smartphone in his seventies and learned to use it all by himself. My mother, who had zero interest in tech gadgets, never learned to use one and I managed her online services for her, using either a card reader or a cheap smartphone I bought for this purpose. I imagine that's also the case for other elderly or disabled people who don't have a smartphone, although there probably aren't many of those these days.

Well at least they haven't completely stopped you from high street banking. It seems a lot of the banks and building societies in the UK want to go the same way but I don't think there is as much appetite for it over here. Talking to a couple of different branch managers of the new building society I'm with they've seen an influx of new customers that are defecting from the building society that have got rid of passbooks over to them as they still offer them.

[Graham44]

Originally Posted by Ebookus

this channel (NBTV) is pretty interesting to anyone interested in online privacy and security. Highly recommended.

That is a seriously thoughtful video and makes some really important points. The one that stood out for me is when did wanting privacy change to meaning you have something to hide?
I also didn't think about the fact that having your information stored on someone else's phone can leave you vulnerable, and the problem with smartphones it may not just be your name and number stored, it could be your email address, social addresses and even physical home address. So suddenly someone you know, who has your info on their phone, does something wrong or even just something a government or corporation doesn't like, their phone is then looked into and just like that, through no action on your part, they have all your information as well (luckily for me I never give out information like that, only my mobile number and that's for business use only and my phone is a dumb phone so is not linked to my emails or anything)
A very interesting video.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Graham44

Well at least they haven't completely stopped you from high street banking. It seems a lot of the banks and building societies in the UK want to go the same way but I don't think there is as much appetite for it over here. Talking to a couple of different branch managers of the new building society I'm with they've seen an influx of new customers that are defecting from the building society that have got rid of passbooks over to them as they still offer them.

Different history, I guess. All our banks have only been in operation a bit over 30 years, so they never had checkbooks, passbooks and other non-digital ways of managing your money. Everything went online almost immediately and people quickly got used to it.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Graham44

...
I also didn't think about the fact that having your information stored on someone else's phone can leave you vulnerable, and the problem with smartphones it may not just be your name and number stored, it could be your email address, social addresses and even physical home address. ...

Or your personal information could be stored on someone else's computer. Or in address book in a handbag or backpack. Or tablet. Or on some businesses' computer that you did business with. ...

[Graham44]

Originally Posted by John F

Or your personal information could be stored on someone else's computer. Or in address book in a handbag or backpack. Or tablet. Or on some businesses' computer that you did business with. ...

So, just give up and let whoever have all your information? Right got it,

Yeah no way, no matter how defeatist other people want to be I will always strive/ fight to keep the parts of my life that are personal/ not for corporate use, just that personal/ not for corporate use. As mentioned in the video where did this 'it doesn't matter' attitude come from? to me it's staggering. I'm sure my information isn't as private as it could be, but I'm looking to always improve that, because unless I consciously decide to share something with someone, it's none of their business. But it's up to each individual if they want keep their information private/ safe or easily available to whoever wants it.

Perhaps eventually people will see whats being taken from them, but then again maybe not

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Graham44

Perhaps eventually people will see whats being taken from them, but then again maybe not

And what is it exactly that's being taken? How are we worse off?

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Graham44

Perhaps eventually people will see whats being taken from them, but then again maybe not

Again... it's slightly conceited that you believe others can't have the wherewithal to make solid, informed decisions about their own online privacy concerns. Your "to each their own" mantra rings a teensy bit passive-aggressive when you then keep implying that those whose opinions on online privacy don't align with your own are somehow missing, or not seeing, something. Sort of like "to each their own (but they're wrong)."

How magnanimous of you to allow us poor, underinformed and misguided souls to unwittingly feed ourselves to the wolves.

[salamanderjuice]

Originally Posted by Graham44

So, just give up and let whoever have all your information? Right got it,

Yeah no way, no matter how defeatist other people want to be I will always strive/ fight to keep the parts of my life that are personal/ not for corporate use, just that personal/ not for corporate use. As mentioned in the video where did this 'it doesn't matter' attitude come from? to me it's staggering. I'm sure my information isn't as private as it could be, but I'm looking to always improve that, because unless I consciously decide to share something with someone, it's none of their business. But it's up to each individual if they want keep their information private/ safe or easily available to whoever wants it.

Perhaps eventually people will see whats being taken from them, but then again maybe not

Why buy eBooks at all then? Wouldn't you be better off buying physical books in cash? Or are you making some sort of tradeoff between privacy and convenience?

[Ebookus]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

And what is it exactly that's being taken? How are we worse off?

I would recommend you peruse through that YT channel, it is very informative in many aspects which most people might be unaware of. There are lots of interesting videos and recommendations on how to use the internet/technology safely.

In my experience, telling people why they should care about something, comes off as patronising and actually ends up putting them off. Allowing people to learn by themselves is a much better approach in the long term but, at the same time, it could be that we never do.

Remember, governments come and go, your data is forever.

edit: to touch one the "why not use cash only and not use X", one of the steps of getting on top of your online privacy, is deciding yourself who you share data with. And that is something only you can do. Yes, you must decide how much privacy you want and how much convenience based on your circumstances, it is ridiculous to expect everyone to stop using X just because they collect data.

[Deskisamess]

The digital age didn't just suddenly make personal info available to the masses. Much of the info being talked about was available before the internet, it just took more effort to find it. The public library was a great source if you needed to find someone's address or phone number. Sure, the info wasn't at your fingertips like it is now, but the info was there if you took the time and knew how to use a Haine's cross-reference. Public records could be requested via legitimate channels, and were mailed to your home.

We used to send personal checks through the mail...checks with account numbers and routing numbers clearly showing, for anyone to see. Checks had addresses and phone numbers, and even social security numbers printed on them. We handed credit cards to waiters who disappeared into back rooms with them. Store receipts had the entire credit card number printed on them. My online bill pay through my bank is much more secure than the post office.

Some of the motivations for wanting privacy don't make sense to me. We had a couple of families leave our church, because the membership/regular attendance directory was made available online. The print version has always been available to anyone who walked through the doors of the building. The option to not include your phone number, email, or even address, was always a choice.

I love the convenience of this digital age. My cell phone functions as an address book, calendar, cookbook, ebook reader, shopping tool, communication center, bank, gaming system, planner, photo album, entertainment device, road atlas, file cabinet, etc. The little bit of "privacy" I may have given up doesn't bother me.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

We handed credit cards to waiters who disappeared into back rooms with them. Store receipts had the entire credit card number printed on them. My online bill pay through my bank is much more secure than the post office.

My mother used to call catalog companies and read her credit card number to a stranger on the other end (and then waited 4-6 weeks for delivery)! She didn't live long enough for the internet to come to her house.

Like you, I get a bit confused by many people using the term "privacy" to discuss things they don't like about the internet. Things are different now--including the definition of privacy. That's not defeatist on my part. I'm fully aware of the risks vs rewards. I was a sysadmin for a lot of years, so I'm no stranger to the securing of data. I'm not giving up anything that I value in order to gain conveniences that I do. It's that simple. Eyes wide open. Unafraid. Unapologetic and undefeated.