Programming Errors
______________________________ Forward Header __________________________________ Subject: Programming Errors Author: Alan Arndt <aga@intertrust.com> at internet Date: 11/19/96 1:50 PM
From New Scientist, 28 August 93, Feedback column:
"The National Westminster Bank admitted last month that it keeps personal information about its customers, such as their political affiliation on computer. But now Computer Weekly reveals that a financial institution, sadly unnamed, has gone one better and moved into the realm of personal abuse. The institution decided to mailshot 2000 of its richest customers, inviting them to buy extra services. One of its computer programmers wrote a program to search through its databases and select its customers automatically. He tested the program with an imaginary customer called Rich Bastard. Unfortunately, an error resulted in all 2000 letters being addressed "Dear Rich Bastard". The luckless programmer was subsequently sacked."
At 4:43 PM -0800 12/2/96, Weissman, Gregg wrote:
______________________________ Forward Header __________________________________ Subject: Programming Errors Author: Alan Arndt <aga@intertrust.com> at internet Date: 11/19/96 1:50 PM
From New Scientist, 28 August 93, Feedback column:
"The National Westminster Bank admitted last month that it keeps personal information about its customers, such as their political affiliation on computer. But now Computer Weekly reveals that a financial institution, sadly unnamed, has gone one better and moved into the realm of personal abuse. The institution decided to mailshot 2000 of its richest customers, ...
Cypherpunks understand that protection of one's personal data is best done by protecting it oneself, not by advocating or relying on laws to limit the use of data acquired by others. I mention this because I've noticed many forwardings of messages relating to the abstract notion of "privacy," with the subtext--at least as I perceive things--that there "ought to be a law." I'm not saying either Alan Arndt or Gregg Weissman feel there ought to be laws banning what the bank did, but this is certainly something I have heard misguided suscribers (and subscribers) of this list advocating. In the name of privacy, let's pass some more laws! It's hardly surprising in an era of massive data bases and ready availability of much public information--including political affiliations, if so volunteered by voter-units--that some banks are expanding their data bases in the manner described. Get used to it, or don't reveal as much. --Tim May Just say "No" to "Big Brother Inside" We got computers, we're tapping phone lines, I know that that ain't allowed. ---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---- Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, tcmay@got.net 408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA | knowledge, reputations, information markets, Higher Power: 2^1398269 | black markets, collapse of governments. "National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway."
participants (2)
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Timothy C. May -
Weissman, Gregg