Privacy, please

February 4, 2024

Privacy, please: Laura in Austin asked me why she got this message from our sponsor, Incogni: “We found multiple records that might belong to you. Please identify and select the ones that best match your profile.” That’s a great thing — they’ve uncovered more ways data brokers are selling your personal info. Get 60% off Incogni using promo code KIM60 if you want to remove your info from data-broker sites, too. It’s amazing.

Tags: data brokers, privacy

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Even if your iPhone dies, it can still do these 3 things

Your mobile phone is a lifeline to many daily activities. It is often the first thing we reach for in the mornings to check social media or pour over the latest news with a cup of coffee. It also keeps us in touch with family and friends.

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Worst things to ask Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant

I use Siri to send texts, put my phone on Do Not Disturb before I record, set meetings and lots more. One time I don’t use it? In an emergency. Luckily, emergencies are few and far between in my life (knock on wood), but I wouldn’t risk it.

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That’s not Joe Biden on the phone: The Federal Communications Commission wants to tag AI-generated voice scams as “artificial.” Why? The Telephone Consumer Protection Act says all artificial voice calls are illegal. Yes, please.

Too long, won’t read

Yes, it’d be nice if we could wave a magic wand to make every privacy policy as readable as possible. The next best thing? Use Ctrl + F on your keyboard for Windows or Cmd + F on a Mac to quickly search for these terms:

Your data is worth a lot. Search for “sell,” “partners” and “affiliates” to see if it’s being sold.
Sections like “How we collect your personal data” show what a company gathers from you and how it does it.
Try something like “How we use your personal information” to get the company’s take on why they need your data in the first place. FYI, a phrase like “business purposes” almost always means they share it.
“Geolocation” and “geotargeting” indicate your location information is collected. I opt out when I can.
Watch for references to “COPPA,” or the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, to see how a company protects your kid’s data.

🖊️ There’s a free resource that does all this for you, btw. Terms of Service Didn’t Read is a website and a browser add-on that summarizes the key points before you hit “Agree.”

How to use AI to cut down on legal fees

As a small-business owner, dealing with attorneys means one thing: Spending a lot of money. I’ll never forget the lawyer I met with who charged $999 an hour. I wish I made that!

There’s a lot you need a real-life lawyer for, but there’s a lot you can do on your own with AI before opening your wallet.

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5 steps to keep your router from being hacked

Most of us don’t give a second thought to the router that manages our home internet. We assume it’s working fine, just like the day we installed it, which is why hackers can break into your network and wreak havoc without you even realizing it.

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💰 I, too, would like to make $56 billion: A Delaware judge axed Elon Musk’s $56 billion Tesla compensation package, saying the board couldn’t prove it was fair or show evidence they tried to negotiate. Tesla’s shares dropped 3% in a blink, and Musk is threatening to move the company to Texas.

💲 Netflix paved the way: Google is laughing all the way to the bank after telling people to delete their unused accounts. Their profits surged, with nearly 100 million paid storage users. The kicker: They’re still cutting almost 1,000 jobs.

Downward spiral: From a $6 billion valuation to almost $0, 23andMe’s stock is nosediving faster than you can say “genealogy.” Now they’re cutting staff, and I bet your data’s on the auction block, too.

How to remove yourself from US Search

Like it or not, your personal information is online for anyone to find. This can include your full name, address, phone number, police record, employment information and more. People search sites scrape this information from public records, court records, social media and other sources.

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