08-03-2009, 02:00 PM | #1 |
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New to Kindle...privacy implications
So because I've lost my Sony Reader, it looks like I'm trying out a Kindle next. Given the recent 1984 bit, and what I've been reading, I am confused on one part. What is Amazon able to do/learn about things that you put on the Kindle yourself via USB? I am fine with them knowing what I buy from them, that's just going to be a given. But I'm not sure how I feel about them being able to exercise interactions with any other content on the device. Presumably it's possible, but has anything been said about that?
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08-03-2009, 02:33 PM | #2 |
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They could gather data about that if they want. I've seen no indication that they do. I have quite a few books I've loaded on my Kindle that have the DRM removed and there's never been a fuss. They're books that aren't available without DRM but I acquired them legally and format-shifted them. I know there are also plenty of people here who have changed the TTS settings on books without a peep out of Amazon. We can't guarantee that they never will start meddling in your private affairs but the day they start would be the day that I start shopping elsewhere. I'm sure many folks would feel the same. It would be PR suicide if they did it and they don't really have anything to gain.
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08-03-2009, 03:07 PM | #3 | |
The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠
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With wispernet turned on, Amazon can get the name of every file on your Kindle. They can certainly also read the contents of some files (bookmarks, notes, reading position) and I can't see any reason why they would have restricted that ability to just certain files.
So - if Amazon wanted, they could track every book you read on your Kindle, when it was added, when you started reading, how quickly you read each chapter, the contents of the books you read. I don't expect Amazon would do that, but then - I didn't expect them to delete books from people's Kindles either. Quote:
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08-03-2009, 03:40 PM | #4 |
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Just out of curiosity, what info remains on the Kindle about a book (notes you made, name, when you added it to the Kindle, etc.) after you delete the book from the Kindle? I.E. with Whispernet off, you add a book, read it, make notes, etc. then delete it - What data remains that Amazon could access re. that book the next time you turn Whispernet on?
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09-28-2009, 09:38 AM | #5 |
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Permanent Record
One interesting thing I learned about Amazon's policies is that you can not waive your right to download a book that you have purchased even if you want to.
I bought a book from Amazon that I'd just as soon not have listed forever on my account. So I wrote to Amazon and asked if they would delete it -- it was ok with me if I could no longer download it. Amazon refused. So, for the rest of my life, that book will be available to government snooping if, say, a court order is issued for that information. As you know, if I had purchased the same book in a bookstore, I would not even have had to identify myself when making the purchase, so I would not have to worry about being identified as an owner of the book. In some hypothetical intolerant government of the future, be it left-wing or right-wing, my purchase could be of interest. This is something to keep in mind when dealing with Amazon. Amazon keeps a permanent record of your purchases and will not ever protect your privacy to the extent of getting rid of the information it has on you, even if it doesn't need that information. |
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09-28-2009, 11:51 AM | #6 | |
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Quote:
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/09/fbi-nsac/ It is not inconceivable that governments could issue warrants to retailers like Amazon for their records to help further such data-mining projects (who knows if they already have). If the US government could have warrantless wiretaps, I'm sure this isn't too far away from reality. Who knows, if I bought a copy of Mein Kampf, I might somehow end up on a watch list for being a potential skinhead? I think it is very important for people to be more aware of privacy issues in todays world (like the op). Of course, these companies (Amazon, Google, etc) will probably try to protect your interests but the fact remains that if they are to do business in any nation, they will have to abide with the laws in that country. So if the government asks them to hand over their records via legal means, chances are they won't put up a big fight for your rights. Just some food for thought. |
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10-02-2009, 03:09 PM | #7 |
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"Amazon coughs $150k to student over lost notes" according to The Register.
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10-10-2009, 11:10 PM | #8 |
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What videotapes you rent is protected by federal law, as part of the fallout from a Supreme Court nomination back in the '80s:
http://epic.org/privacy/vppa/ (I'm not a lawyer and have no independent knowledge of the authority of the above site, but it is consistent with what I've read about this issue in the media). Unfortunately, the law is written pretty specifically for videotapes, but I suspect before long there will be some case where this will be important, and it is definitely possible that afterwards Congress will end up passing a similar law protecting e-books and perhaps material "subscribed" over the internet such as Kindle periodical subscriptions. Till then, if you read kinky sex books or similar stuff you'd rather not have brought out in a court order or a government surveillance operation, best to continue reading them on dead trees! As for Amazon itself, I suspect if they decided that it would be helpful in their marketing, they'd cheerfully snoop at what Kindle readers were reading. I suspect they'd disassociate the titles from any personal ID immediately, and I also suspect that this wouldn't in the slightest satisfy anyone who was upset by it (which I would be!). On the plus side, I'll bet that they've been so sensitized to this issue by the 1984 fiasco that they won't be trying it for a few years. I'd read several times that Apple does similar snooping about what MP3 and video you own if you use iTunes software to synch media files onto an iPhone or iPod, but have no specific knowledge if it is actually true. |
10-11-2009, 01:03 AM | #9 | |
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10-11-2009, 06:38 PM | #10 |
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The only way I would assume a book purchase was private is if I paid cash for it.
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10-15-2009, 05:59 AM | #11 |
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Don't use the wireless. Living in an area that doesn't have wireless coverage (Alaska), I've never gotten used to the wireless download. I've downloaded all my content to my computer and then USB'd it to the Kindle. Amazon.com may have records of what I've purchased, but they'll never have access to my Kindle to delete/snoop items. I don't like the idea of someone being able to look into my reading habits without my knowledge. YMMV.
P.S. Another advantage to downloading content to my computer is that I'll have a copy even if Amazon.com decides to recall a book for copyright issues (ala 1984). C.P.T. |
10-15-2009, 06:40 AM | #12 | |
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10-15-2009, 07:59 AM | #13 | ||
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Quote:
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C.P.T. |
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10-16-2009, 06:46 AM | #14 | |
Transplanted NYer
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10-16-2009, 09:15 AM | #15 | |
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Quote:
I’m not a conspiracy theorist by any stretch, but there are a couple of threads around here that give me concern about using Whispernet. One thread is about Amazon.com deleting items from people's Kindles without notice (copyright issues), another interesting thread outlines the contents of the System Log file that the Kindle regularly sends to Amazon.com. The file includes some very interesting information (including the geographical location of the device). I don’t believe for a minute that Amazon.com would use this info in a negative way, but why make it available to tempt someone. Just my warped perspective. C.P.T. |
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