(From Robert X. Cringley's column 5-28-02)
Microsoft see, Microsoft do
Well, despite Yahoo being slammed in this column and
many others for altering its spam-filtering settings
unbeknownst to users, only to follow up with an e-mail
after the fact, a spy reports Microsoft has followed
suit with Hotmail. My spy said Team Redmond is now
sharing names and other personal information with
third parties, even if users said they didn't want
that when they signed up. Ironically, this comes from
the same company that has sworn up and down that it
would not, under any conditions, share or use the
personal data it collects from its HailStorm Web services.
Speaking of sharing information, a spy reports Verizon
is having difficulty keeping user information private.
My spy received a Verizon mailer touting its "American
Adventure" ad campaign, which explained how you can
win a fabulous vacation by merely visiting Verizon's
Web site, typing in your "destination code" from the
mailer, and following the instructions.
Knowing that the "destination code" was linked to his
address, yet wishing to remain anonymous, my spy
entered a destination code that was a few numbers shy
of his own. After pressing Submit, he was shown
someone else's name and address belonging to the
entered destination code. He returned to the first
page and entered the next sequential destination code,
which brought up another valid name and address. Every
sequential number entered brought up a different
customer's name and address.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TINSTAAFL....
Cadd.
hardware
prices 
