Privacy, schmivacy!

Diogenes is a very private person. He doesn't advertise his whereabouts, what he's been up to besides writing this blog, and he certainly would never think of publicizing the nature of his meals. So imagine his outrage at seeing this headline from yesterday's online Washington Post: "The House just voted to wipe away the FCC’s landmark Internet privacy protections." You really should read this. Here's the link: 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/03/28/the-house-just-voted-to-wipe-out-the-fccs-landmark-internet-privacy-protections/?utm_term=.283df2f8db45&wpisrc=al_alert-COMBO-econ%252Bpolitics%252Bnation&wpmk=1

Yeah, it's insanely long, so cut and paste. The story includes a short video on ways to protect you and your devices.

And just in case you're sure you have some unalienable right to privacy, you don't. Dio doesn't often turn to Wikipedia for information, but here's the link to an excellent article on the legal status of privacy:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_privacy

The House has voted, and the Great Pretender will no doubt rubber stamp it, a measure that will, according to the Post, [free]  "Internet service providers such as Verizon, AT&T and Comcast of protections approved just last year that had sought to limit what companies could do with information such as customer browsing habits, app usage history, location data and Social Security numbers. The rules also had required providers to strengthen safeguards for customer data against hackers and thieves."

This means that your Internet service provider will be able to collect and sell, if they desire, your browsing habits and whatever other personal information may be embedded, which could include your Social Security number, bank card number and other sensitive information..

Diogenes says again: "Contact your senators and representatives to let them know you find actions such as these unacceptable, and insist that they take some action to rein in this irresponsible president and his minions." Do it now, do it tomorrow and the next day, flood mailboxes and email in their offices until they hear you. Do it if you value your privacy. Do it!

--Richard Brown