Slam the Scam: Keep Your Personal Information

Slam the Scam: Keep Your Personal Information 03/16/2023 02:50 PM EDT Do you know how to spot a government imposter scam? Knowing how to identify potential scammers will help safeguard your personal information.  There are common elements to many of these scams. Scammers often exploit fears and threaten you with arrest or legal action. Scammers also pose as Social Security or other government employees and claim ...  Continue reading ->  https://blog.ssa.gov/slam-the-scam-keep-your-personal-information/

Join the millions and discover your benefits! Open a my Social Security account

During this National Consumer Protection Week, let’s talk about impersonation scams

This NCPW, let's talk about impersonation scams By Samuel Levine, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection It's National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2023 and it couldn't come at a better time. The FTC's recently released top frauds of 2022 have impersonation scams at #1 again.  So, this NCPW, let's talk with friends, family, and neighbors about spotting and avoiding these impersonation scams. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/03/ncpw-lets-talk-about-impersonation-scams

During this National Consumer Protection Week, let’s talk about impersonation scams

Washington Post: On TikTok "is no more risky than Facebook. That’s not entirely a compliment"

"As calls to ban TikTok grow, should you quit the app?

For the average user, TikTok is no more risky than Facebook. That’s not entirely a compliment.

I’ve been hearing from Washington Post readers concerned that the Chinese-owned app is handing our data to the Communist Party. So I looked under the hood at what TikTok knows about us, and quizzed both the company and the senators calling on us to stop using it.

So far, the arguments to ban TikTok are more rooted in fears than actual evidence. The best thing that could ​​come of this scare is that Congress finally realizes we need privacy rules and guardrails for kids across all apps — not just the ones with Chinese owners."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required) ->

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/02/03/tiktok-delete-advice/

 

To TikTok, or not to TikTok, that is the question. (Video: Illustration by Elena Lacey/The Washington Post; iStock)

What did you consent to do? Use of social media tools getting riskier - links to 3 articles

Lensa is not a good thing, but if you submitted photos, it's too late now

"This week, millions came face to face with AI-generated versions of themselves thanks to the app Lensa, which uses machine learning to spit out illustrations based on photos you provide. People took to social media to reflect on how the portraits made them feel — and who stands to lose when AI art goes mainstream.

“I think I have a fairly decent self-image, but I looked at the images and I was like, ‘Why do I look so good?’” said James, a Twitch streamer who declined to give his last name to keep his social media presence separate from his day job. “I think it shaved off a lot of my rough edges.”

Continue reading the article (subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/12/08/lensa-ai-portraits/

Lensa - article 2

"Sure, that drunk selfie you posted on Instagram might be personally embarrassing. Now imagine that selfie is also training fuel for an artificial intelligence system that helps put an innocent person in jail.

Welcome to the age of artificial intelligence. What you do with your face, your home security videos, your words and the photos from your friend’s art show are not just about you. Almost entirely without your true consent, information that you post online or that is posted about you is being used to coach AI software. These technologies could let a stranger identify you on sight or generate custom art at your command."

Continue reading the article (subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/12/09/chatgpt-lensa-ai-ethics/

If you didn't know how you were being tracked, this lends some insight to the systems involved:

"Tens of thousands of websites belonging to government agencies, Fortune 500 companies and other organizations host Twitter computer code that sends visitor information to the social media giant, according to research first reported by The Cybersecurity 202. 

And virtually none of them have used a Twitter feature to put restrictions on what the company can do with that data, said digital ad analysis firm Adalytics, which conducted the study.

The presence of Twitter’s code — known as the Twitter advertising pixel — has grown more troublesome since Elon Musk purchased the platform."

Continue reading the article (subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/12/08/twitter-data-tracker-inhabits-tens-thousands-websites/

So how can you protect your privacy in this new social media world? Two quick easy steps:

• Don't fall to any one of the meme's (What Game of Thrones character are you?) or tools like Lensa
• Install DuckDuckGo (https://duckduckgo.com) on your browser to prevent the tracking cookies from doing their thing

Lensa interpretations of reporter Tatum Hunter. These images were
created by AI. They were not taken by a camera.

   

Five things to do to protect yourself online

Five things to do to protect yourself online Your online accounts, computer, and phone hold a lot of your personal, financial, and health information. Information that's valuable to you — and to scammers who try to steal it.  Here are five things to do to keep hackers out of your accounts and your personal business. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/10/five-things-do-protect-yourself-online

Kurbo by WW charged with collecting kids’ personal info without parents’ permission

Kurbo by WW charged with collecting kids' personal info without parents' permission by Amy Hebert, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Advertised as a weight management service for kids, teens, and families, the Kurbo by WW app and website let kids as young as 8 track their weight, food intake, activity, and more.  The problem?  Many parents didn't know their kids were using it, while the app and website were collecting and keeping information about kids without their parents' permission. Shared from -> https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2022/03/kurbo-ww-charged-collecting-kids-personal-info-without-parents-permission?utm_source=govdelivery

Keep your personal information safe in the New Year

Keep your personal information safe in the New Year by Jim Kreidler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC As 2021 winds down, lots of us are making resolutions for a fresh start in the New Year — maybe to exercise regularly, get our finances in order, or spend more time with friends. But your list isn't complete until you add "update my security software" and "protect my personal information" to the mix. Scammers and hackers are always looking for new ways to steal your personal information online. Read more ->  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/12/keep-your-personal-information-safe-new-year?utm_source=govdelivery

Keep your personal information safe in the New Year

60 Minutes "a betrayal of democracy" leads to decision that Franklin Matters Facebook page to go away Dec 1, 2021

60 Minutes (@60Minutes) tweeted at 7:42 PM on Sun, Oct 03, 2021:

"The version of Facebook that exists today is tearing our societies apart and causing ethnic violence around the world," says former Facebook employee France Haugen. She points to Myanmar, where the military used Facebook to launch a genocide.

Find the full 60 Minutes segment here -> https://t.co/WU4IumjHkO 

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/cy9Ed9MgbH

“The version of Facebook that exists today is tearing our societies apart and causing ethnic violence around the world,” says former Facebook employee France Haugen. She points to Myanmar, where the military used Facebook to launch a genocide. https://t.co/WU4IumjHkO pic.twitter.com/cy9Ed9MgbH

— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) October 3, 2021

Note: this is a continuation of the revelations about Facebook since the  Cambridge Analytica scandal. in 2018  I attempted to remove Franklin Matters updates from Facebook at that time and the readers, followers on Facebook created an uproar so I stayed reluctantly.

As a data security and privacy professional I can no longer condone the Facebook business model. Effective Dec 1, 2021 the Franklin Matters Facebook page will go away. You are given notice to find one of the other options to obtain the valuable information shared but not longer directly by me on Facebook.

• You can subscribe via email to the daily update (an easy way)  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html
• You can subscribe via RSS and get everything as it posts (actually the best way)  The 7 best RSS Readers for 2021 (I personally use Feedly)   https://bloggingwizard.com/free-rss-feed-readers/
• You can follow Franklin Matters on Twitter  https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters

Someone can also set up a way to take what I share and share it themselves to Facebook. I have no way to stop that. Folks occasionally do so on their own today.

My personal account will remain on Facebook to maintain my family and network connections. I have limited what is posted and shared in that way and am willing to take the risk to maintain those family connections.

I can no longer take the risk exposing your information in this way. Facebook needs to change and only actions like this will get their attention to do so.

Why Dec 1?

The Franklin election is important and as divisive as Facebook is, for those who depend upon it for info, I will provide some time for them to begin to make their move to one of the alternatives.

If you need or want help setting up email or RSS, I'll offer to schedule a Zoom session (or two) to walk through the process. Let me know if you are interested via email or comment on this post.

Reference points on Facebook data leaks

• Franklin Matters attempt to shut down in 2018 was announced with this post ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/04/fixing-companys-problems-will-take-years.html
• Data leak reported in April 2021 (actually occurred during 2019) ->  https://blog.mozilla.org/en/privacy-security/facebook-data-leak-explained/
• Data leak in 2017 ->  https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/28/everything-you-need-to-know-about-facebooks-data-breach-affecting-50m-users/
• Cambridge Analytica aftermath -> https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/25/cambridge-analyticas-former-boss-gets-7-year-ban-on-being-a-business-director/

Mark Hurst's Good Report also has a listing on RSS Readers to add to what I shared here.  https://goodreports.com/post/rss-reader.html

If you only do one thing with your privacy settings ...

"There’s probably a little bit of Google in every part of your life. The company hosts a sprawling network of tools and apps we use for everything — from school assignments and work emails, to watching how-to videos and making calls. The good news is that Google has tried to collect its most important privacy settings into one place, which means you can protect your data in Gmail and Google-owned YouTube at the same time.

Google offers a “Privacy Checkup” to get through settings quickly, but defaults to more mild options than we’ve listed below. There are some trade-offs when you limit Google’s data collection, according to the company. Google services that give recommendations might not be as helpful, and any ads you see will be less accurately targeted.

These privacy setting recommendations are based on your Google Account settings on the Web. You can also access them through individual Google apps or your settings on an Android phone by going to Settings → Google (or Google Services)."

Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/09/23/google-privacy-settings/

If you only do one thing with your privacy settings ...

Your privacy and data protection: "If you have lots of data, you can turn that into money"

"Why should you care about protecting your privacy online? Tech critic Carissa Véliz says it’s not just a matter of personal preference: It’s a civic duty.

Véliz, associate professor at the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford, is the author of “Privacy Is Power: Why and How You Should Take Back Control of Your Data,” which blends philosophical insight and practical advice. Véliz says that guarding your privacy promotes something akin to digital herd immunity. Many companies claim that the more data they have, the better their products will be, but Véliz argues that this personal data ultimately gets transformed into something toxic, which society should regulate much like asbestos. Last year The Economist called “Privacy Is Power” one of the best books of the year, on any subject."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/28/opinion/why-its-good-you-if-i-protect-my-privacy/

Amazon link for book "Privacy is Power"  https://www.amazon.com/Privacy-Power-Should-Take-Control/dp/1787634043

Whether using either Google or Firefox as my browser, I use DuckDuckGo to help prevent the tracking codes from gathering the data  https://duckduckgo.com/
   

https://duckduckgo.com/about

"Consumer Federation of America cited concerns about unfair pricing, misuse of data, and loss of privacy"

"It is sometimes called “usage-based insurance” and sometimes “insurance telematics.” It’s when you agree to allow your auto insurer to ride along with you — quite literally.

If you agree, a constant stream of data flows from your vehicle to your insurer, via a telecommunication device, including how fast you are going, the time of day you are driving, and when and how hard you are hitting the brakes.

What’s the purpose? Insurers say they want to reward good drivers with lower premiums: for example, those who drive within the speed limit, mainly during daylight hours, and without frequently jamming on the brakes. (For drivers whose reckless driving habits correlate to higher risk for crashes, higher premiums may result, although few bad drivers are expected to opt in for telematics.)"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/07/business/auto-insurers-want-monitor-your-driving/

News of Interest: Amazon implementation raises security issues

"There’s an eyebrow-raising technology buried inside millions of Amazon Echo smart speakers and Ring security cameras. They have the ability to make a new kind of wireless network called Sidewalk that shares a slice of your home Internet connection with your neighbors’ devices.

And on Tuesday, Amazon is switching Sidewalk on — for everyone.

I’m digging into my settings to turn it off. Sidewalk raises more red flags than a marching band parade: Is it secure enough to be activated in so many homes? Are we helping Amazon build a vast network that can be used for more surveillance? And why didn’t Amazon ask us to opt-in before activating a capability lying dormant in our devices?

I recommend you opt out of Sidewalk, too, until we get much better answers to these questions."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/06/07/amazon-sidewalk-network/

Washington Post: "Explaining HIPAA: No, it doesn't ban questions about your vaccination status"

"As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to relax safety measures for people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and the country begins to reopen, many employers, businesses, families and friend groups are finding themselves in the at-times uncomfortable position of having to ask about others’ vaccination statuses."

"HIPAA, also known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, and its subsequently added Privacy Rule include provisions to protect a person’s identifying health information from being shared without their knowledge or consent. The law, though, only applies to specific health-related entities, such as insurance providers, health-care clearinghouses, health-care providers and their business associates."

Shared from The Washington Post:  Continue reading the article online  (subscription may be required)   https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1396178093463805952

Consumer Alerts: Santa doesn’t need your Social Security number

Santa doesn't need your Social Security number by Jim Kreidler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC This year, during the pandemic, your holidays might be moving a bit online. On the 10th day of Consumer Protection, maybe you're planning to send e-cards to family and friends. Read more ->  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/12/santa-doesnt-need-your-social-security-number?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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"whether it could potentially erode a sense of trust between school officials and students"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"In these times of COVID-19, schools are closed, offices are shut down and families must coexist while sheltering in place.

The result is a spike in fear and a decrease in happiness nationwide, according to an artificial intelligence algorithm that analyzes more than a billion social media messages in the U.S. each day.

Some online messages created by Natick public school students are included in those billion-plus messages, because the district has a contract with Social Sentinel, a Burlington, Vermont-based company that created the algorithm.

“Any tool that has the potential to identify that someone is suffering, that extends the reach of what people can do, and does it faster, is worth having,” said Natick Superintendent of Schools Anna Nolin, explaining why the district contracted with Social Sentinel."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200418/natick-students-online-messages-on-school-platforms-are-analyzed-for-potential-danger-and-distress

"It’s a problem with invasion of privacy”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Sudbury Police Chief Scott Nix said officers try to do the best they can in difficult environments, and body cameras alone do not necessarily capture every angle in police interactions.

Many area police chiefs acknowledge that body cameras are an opportunity to improve transparency between law enforcement and the public. But they say the benefits of such high-tech improvements come with additional costs.

Other than Sherborn, no community police department in the MetroWest region currently wears police body cameras when responding to suspected crimes.

“There’s much more to it than the monetary cost,” said Sudbury Police Chief Scott Nix. “It also includes the cost of retention of the footage and the ability to reproduce it in different formats. We want to be educated and informed on the best route for the town.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190727/metrowest-chiefs-cite-cost-as-key-deterrent-to-implementing-body-cams

FTC Alerts: Back to school - Protect your child’s information

Back to school: Protect your child's information by Colleen Tressler Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Many school forms require personal and sensitive information. Here are some tips for keeping your child's personal information safe — from pre-school through college. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/08/back-school-protect-your-childs-information?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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"a groundbreaking victory for Americans’ privacy rights"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Supreme Court ruled Friday that police generally need a search warrant if they want to track criminal suspects’ movements by collecting information about where they’ve used their cellphones, bolstering privacy interests in the digital age. 

The justices’ 5-4 decision marks a big change in how police may obtain cellphone tower records, an important tool in criminal investigations. 

Chief Justice John Roberts, joined by the court’s four liberals, said cellphone location information “is detailed, encyclopedic and effortlessly compiled.” Roberts wrote that “an individual maintains a legitimate expectation of privacy in the record of his physical movements” as they are captured by cellphone towers. 

Roberts said the court’s decision is limited to cellphone tracking information and does not affect other business records, including those held by banks."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20180622/supreme-court-justices-adopt-digital-age-privacy-rules-to-track-cellphones

You can read the full Supreme Court decision here
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/17pdf/16-402_h315.pdf

https://www.supremecourt.gov/

As Data Privacy Day approaches, do you know where your data is?

Data Privacy Day began in the United States and Canada in January 2008 as an extension of the Data Protection Day celebration in Europe. Data Protection Day commemorates the Jan. 28, 1981, signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection. Data Privacy Day is observed annually on Jan. 28.

As parents/guardians you can share these tips about data privacy with your kids




Find out more about data privacy and Stay Safe Online
https://staysafeonline.org/resource/stop-think-connect-tips-parents-raising-privacy-savvy-kids/

Find out about protecting your privacy online
https://staysafeonline.org/stay-safe-online/managing-your-privacy/

As Data Privacy Day approaches, do you know where your data is?

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda, Feb 15, 2017

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 15, 2017

(Note: where there are active links in the agenda item, it will take you to the associated document)

A. Approval of Minutes	February 1, 2017
B. Announcements	This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.
C. Proclamations/Recognitions
D. Citizen Comments	Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
E. Appointments	Design Review Appointment
F. Hearings	Public Hearing - 7:10 PM Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-786: Storage Facility Bylaw
G. License Transactions
H. Presentations/Discussions	1. Water Presentation - Brutus Cantoreggi
H. Presentations/Discussions	2. Discussion - Chapter 179: Water, Article VI Water Use Restriction and Ban
I. Subcommittee Reports	(To be provided during meeting if available)
J. Legislation for Action	1. Resolution 17-06: Appropriation: Animal Control - Prior Year's Bill (Motion to Move Resolution 17-06: appropriation Animal Control - 4/5 vote)
J. Legislation for Action	2. Resolution 17-07: Local acceptance of Amended Provisions of G.L. Chapter 40, Sections 22A, 22B, and 22C (Motion to Move Resolution 17-07: Local Acceptance of Amended Provisions of G.L. Chapter 40, Sections 22A, 22B, and 22C - Majority vote (5))
J. Legislation for Action	3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-779: Changes to Chapter 185 Section 3 Definitions - 2nd Reading (Motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-779 - Roll Call - 2/3 majority vote (6))
J. Legislation for Action	4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-780: Changes to Chapter 185 Section 4 Districts Enumerated - 2nd Reading (Motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-780 - Roll Call - 2/3 majority vote (6))
J. Legislation for Action	5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-781: Changes to Chapter 185 Section 5 Zoning Map - 2nd Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-781 - Roll Call - 2/3 majority vote (6))
J. Legislation for Action	6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-782 Changes to Chapter 185 Section 7 Compliance required - 2nd Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-782 - Roll Call - 2/3 majority vote (6))
J. Legislation for Action	7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-783: Amendment to Chapter 185 Section 49 Marijuana Use Overlay District - 2nd Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-783 - Roll Call - 2/3 majority vote (6))
J. Legislation for Action	8. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-786: Storage Facility Bylaw - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 16-786 to a 2nd Reading (majority vote))
K. Town Administrator's Report	(To be provided during meeting)
L. Future Agenda Items	(To be provided during meeting if required)
M. Council Comments	(To be provided during meeting)
N. Executive Session	Potential Purchase of Land at 0 Washington Street (Exercise of Town's Right of First Refusal - Discussion Only)
O. Adjourn

Some folks with wells are continuing to let their sprinkler systems water the grass last year, that could change this year if the Town Council adds private wells to the water restrictions as proposed