01-17-2015, 07:48 AM
hal wrote:
...and what harm might come of it? Seriously... I ask this question once a year and no one ever offers an answer... just a lot of !!!s and lines like, 'well, keep using it and you'll find out!'
There's nothing to stop them from sharing that info and there's little preventing a breach allowing hackers to get the info... There's nothing preventing them from collaborating with other data mining companies (or buying their databases) and accumulating a complete profile of every (commercially exploitable and political) aspect of your life. Every person you know, every place you've ever traveled, your mother's maiden name, DMV info, social security... Every organization you've ever belonged to, what charities you've given to, whether you've ever called a politician by a dirty name.
You really can't imagine any misuse of all of that data? On a small scale, there's identity-theft and scaling up from that is industrial espionage via spear-phishing (which took down Target and Sony and ICANN). Political parties may use the info to manipulate you out of your vote. Insurance companies may decide that cough you had when you were 5 years old is an undisclosed pre-existing condition voiding your coverage just when you need $50,000 worth of surgery... Maybe your run for city council will be tainted by that sexy pic your girlfriend sent you 20 years ago in high school... You may be targeted for violence by gangs or profiled by cops or find your old love letters to your wife used in a national ad or your "private" photos used by criminals in an international scam (really happens) ... Tip of the iceberg. Use your imagination.