Got concert tickets? Your personal info might be on the market. Plus, why Gen Z is ditching driving, the latest malicious apps on Google Play, and how an international burglary ring is using Wi-Fi jammers.
One-click cleanup: This free app deletes your digital history
Asking all the companies you interact with to protect your data sounds like a never-ending game of Whac-A-Mole. Who has that kind of time or energy? Thankfully, a new app will do it for ya.
The Permission Slip app was created by Consumer Reports (so you know it’s good!). It contacts companies on your behalf to ensure your personal info isn’t sold to third parties, aka anyone willing to pay for it. They can even get your data erased for you.
The icing on the cake? It’s free to download and use.
Permission granted
To try the app for yourself, follow these steps:
- Download the app for iPhone or Android. Quick tip: The Permission Slip website has a QR code that takes you to the download.
- Sign into the app with your email address, Apple ID or Google account.
- Choose your state from the dropdown menu.
- You’ll be presented with several “cards” listing major company names. Swipe through Tinder-style and skip if you’ve never interacted with them. If you have, click the Learn More & Take Action button.
You’ll then see a screen that lists company information and what kind of data it collects.
Forget me, please
If you have an account with that company, you can submit a “Do Not Sell My Data” request. You can also tap Delete My Account. Once the submission is complete, you’ll receive a confirmation message.
The first time you submit a request, you must enter your mobile number, home address and primary email address. This info is encrypted and protected by Permission Slip. You must also review and electronically sign Permission Slip’s user agreement.
What’s next?
Top ways to keep your Google info safe
It’s tempting to use that “Sign in with Google button.” But is it safe? The answer, like your relationship with your mother-in-law, is complicated. Your best bet is to have separate logins for each service you use.
Net neutrality’s back: The FCC voted to restore net neutrality, saying ISPs can’t speed up, slow down or block access to specific sites or services. The FCC also wants to stop ISPs from selling customers’ personal info or using this info to train AI models. Now, the pros and cons of net neutrality are a 20-minute lecture starting with: Do we really want to open the door to government interference and regulation of private enterprise? Drop me a note here if you want to talk about net neutrality or another burning tech topic.
Where does your ISP fall among the fastest and slowest in the country?
Do you work from home? Is someone in your house a hardcore gamer? Do you stream high-definition content from multiple devices simultaneously? All these factors will help determine if you’re paying too much for internet speed. Here’s what you need to know.
Drive a Toyota, Kia, Mercedes or BMW? Your personal info may have been exposed
Hackers are always looking for new ways to get their hands on your data. It even trumps your credit or debit card details. Unfortunately, security breaches happen on a more grand scale than most would like to know, such as the IRS leak from late last year.
4 ways to get discounts without sharing data
Want that sale price? You don’t have to give up your personal info to get it.
Are you tone-deaf? This test will tell you
Let’s face it: Some people are born with natural musical abilities, and some aren’t. But you probably shouldn’t tell your tone-deaf spouse that the cats yowling on the back fence sound better than their version of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Google's secret text adventure game
Now, developers at Google have done it again. They’ve hidden a different kind of “Easter egg” within the Google search bar. This new game is a tribute to classic text adventure games where players complete tasks by typing in basic commands.