Podcast Summary
Robocalls using call spoofing technology to disguise numbers: Robocalls using call spoofing can make it hard to trace their origin, making it challenging for individuals and authorities to combat them effectively.
Robocalls have become increasingly intrusive and harassing, with callers using call spoofing technology to disguise their numbers and make it seem like they're dialing from legitimate sources. PJ Vogt, from the podcast Reply All, shares his personal experience of being bombarded with robocalls, which used to be something he could easily handle with a spam filter app. However, the situation escalated for him when he started receiving calls from California numbers while he was in California, despite never having called those numbers himself. This shift was unusual because before that, he had only received calls from New York numbers. The callers would often claim to be from Medicaid or offer insurance deals, and they would call repeatedly until he answered. The calls were not only annoying but also potentially dangerous, as they could be part of scams aimed at stealing personal information. The use of call spoofing makes it difficult to trace the origin of these calls, making it a significant challenge for individuals and authorities to combat this issue effectively.
Robocalls can be targeted using location data: Robocalls are becoming more common and some use location data to target calls, raising privacy concerns
Robocalls can be more targeted than we might assume, with some companies potentially using location data to make calls. This was a concern raised during our conversation, as the speaker mentioned receiving calls with area codes that didn't match their current location, leading them to question if their location was being tracked. This raises privacy concerns, as it could mean that companies have access to more personal information than we realize. Another interesting finding from our research is the increasing prevalence of robocalls, with some people reporting an uptick in the number of calls they receive. The reasons behind this trend are unclear, but it's a topic worth exploring further. Overall, it's important to be aware of the potential ways that robocalls can be targeted and to take steps to protect our privacy. If you're concerned about robocalls, consider using call blocking apps or services, and be cautious when answering calls from unknown numbers. Additionally, it's worth staying informed about the latest trends and developments in robocall technology, as this can help us stay one step ahead of scammers.
Health Insurance Middleman Faces Consumer Complaints: Consumers should carefully research health insurance plans offered by middlemen like Health Insurance Innovations before purchasing, as there have been reports of misrepresentation and failure to deliver promised coverage.
Health Insurance Innovations (HIIQ) is a company that acts as a middleman in the health insurance marketplace. They connect consumers with various insurance plans from different companies and sell those plans through their call centers. However, there have been numerous complaints about misrepresentation of the plans, leading some consumers to believe they had insurance when they actually only had discount cards. The company, located in Tampa, has received many negative reviews on the Better Business Bureau for charging consumers after cancellation and failing to deliver promised coverage. Despite its professional appearance, it's crucial for consumers to thoroughly research and understand the details of the plans being offered before making a purchase.
Robocalls are financially profitable for companies despite public perception: Despite regulation attempts, robocallers continue to thrive financially due to past regulatory loopholes and lack of effective consumer advocacy
Despite public perception, companies that engage in robocalls are thriving financially. One such company, HII, was projected to make $290 million in 2018 and ranked first on Fortune 100's fastest growing companies list. This raises the question of why robocalls are particularly profitable at this time. The answer lies in the history of robocalls regulation. In 2015, the FCC attempted to reduce robocalls by cracking down on auto dialers. However, robocallers circumvented this by hiring people to manually dial numbers, creating a call center where one person pressed the mouse to initiate calls. This strategy was effective until the DC Circuit Court undermined the 2015 FCC order in March 2018, allowing the use of auto dialers once again. Margo Saunders, an attorney with the National Consumer Law Center, explained that robocalls became a significant issue around 2014, and consumer advocacy was lacking. The FCC's attempt to regulate robocalls through the 2015 order seemed promising, but its short lifespan allowed robocallers to adapt and continue their practices. The financial success of companies like HII highlights the need for more effective regulation to protect consumers from unwanted robocalls.
Court Decision Eases Way for Robocalls: The court's decision overturned FCC regulations, making it simpler for individuals to become robocallers, resulting in a significant increase in unwanted calls, potentially with targeted location data.
The definition of an auto dialer and its regulations have been under debate, leading to a court decision that overturned the FCC's order, making it easier for robocallers to operate. This has resulted in a significant increase in robocalls, with some estimates showing over 48 billion robocalls in 2018 alone. The issue lies in the definition of "capacity" and how it applies to auto dialing technology. It's now simpler than ever for individuals to become robocallers, leading to a surge in unwanted calls. Some experts believe that scammers may even be tracking location data to make calls more targeted and annoying. For instance, Alex Clachey of YouMail reported an increase in robocalls that appear to originate from the location of the person being called. While this may not be a new phenomenon, the ease with which individuals can become robocallers has made the issue more pressing. The court's decision has sent the issue back to the FCC, leaving consumers feeling frustrated and uncertain about how to protect themselves from unwanted calls.
Cell Phone Location Data Sold Without Consent: Cell phone location data is being bought and sold without users' consent, raising privacy concerns. Telecoms have since changed their policies, but this incident underscores the need to safeguard personal information.
Our location data, sold by cell phone carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint, is being bought by middlemen companies and then resold to various industries, including bounty hunters, without our consent. This real-time location data is obtained through telecommunication companies and then sold to location aggregators, who in turn sell it to industries like used car sales, landlords, and bounty hunting services. The process is supposed to require the expressed consent of the cell phone user, but this consent is often bypassed. This is a breach of privacy and raises concerns about who else might have access to our location data and how it might be used. The telecoms have since changed their policies, but this incident highlights the importance of being aware of who has access to our personal information and taking steps to protect our privacy.
Using toll-free numbers to access consumer location data: Businesses can buy toll-free numbers to access consumers' location data, improving marketing efforts and customer base. However, privacy concerns arise due to potential misuse by robocallers and malicious actors.
The sale and rental of memorable toll-free numbers have created a lucrative market for accessing consumers' location data. This information is crucial for businesses, like those owned by Bruno Tabby, who specialize in owning and licensing these numbers to small businesses. When a consumer calls one of these numbers, their location data is sent to a location company and shared with the number owner. This allows businesses to target their marketing efforts more effectively and increase their customer base. However, the ease of access to this data raises concerns about privacy and potential misuse by robocallers or other malicious actors. The speaker in the discussion was initially unsure about how this information could be used against him, but the involvement of a robocaller in the story highlighted the potential for widespread abuse.
Misuse of Real-Time Location Data by Unauthorized Entities: Real-time location data's misuse by unauthorized entities, such as robocallers and bounty hunters, raises significant privacy concerns and potential for abuse, including invasion of privacy and physical harm.
The use of real-time location data by various companies, including those involved in robocalling and bounty hunting, has raised significant privacy concerns. The original intent of this technology was to route calls to the nearest business location. However, its misuse by unauthorized entities, such as bounty hunters, has come to light, leading to public outrage and regulatory action. Despite assurances from location services companies that they are obtaining consent and following rigorous processes for access to this data, reports suggest otherwise. The lack of transparency and oversight in this area has led to a Wild West-like situation, where it's unclear who has access to this data and how it's being used. The potential for abuse is high, and the consequences can be serious, including invasion of privacy and even physical harm. It's essential that individuals and regulators remain vigilant and demand greater transparency and accountability from companies handling location data.
Apps reveal personal information: Be aware that apps can reveal sensitive information about us, potentially more than intended, and consider the implications before downloading.
Our smartphones and the apps we use can reveal a great deal about us, potentially more than we realize. During a discussion, it was suggested that the mysterious occurrence might be linked to the apps on Damiano's phone. It was discovered that Damiano has a variety of apps, some of which are related to wine, fitness, and games. While some may view this as harmless, others might find it concerning that someone could learn a lot about a person based on the apps they have installed. It's important to remember that our digital footprint can be extensive and may include information that we might not want to share. While it's natural to download apps that cater to our interests and hobbies, it's also crucial to be mindful of the potential implications.
Mobile apps collect and share personal info with marketing companies: Mobile apps collect personal info like Wi-Fi details, location, IP addresses, and app lists without consent, and sell it to advertising companies for targeted ads, potentially leading to privacy invasions.
Mobile apps collect and share a vast amount of personal information with marketing companies, often without users' knowledge or consent. This information can include Wi-Fi network details, serial numbers of routers, location information, IP addresses, and even a list of other apps installed on the device. Apps can make money by selling this information to multiple advertising companies, and there's no limit to how many analytics or ad libraries an app can include to maximize its earnings. One specific example given was the popular mobile game, Mobile Legends Bang Bang, which was found to send phone numbers and location information to advertising companies. Although this practice is more common in Android apps, the potential privacy invasion is a concern for all smartphone users. Researcher Joel Riordan emphasized that having just a few apps installed doesn't provide much value to marketers, but having a large number of apps can create a unique "fingerprint" of a person, revealing valuable information. This information can be used for micro-targeted advertising, potentially leading to unwanted robocalls or other privacy invasions. Overall, it's important for users to be aware of the information apps collect and share, and to consider the potential privacy implications before downloading and using them.
Mobile Games Sharing Personal Info with Robocallers: Mobile games, like Mobile Legends Bang Bang, may collect and share personal info without clear disclosure or purpose, potentially selling it to third parties including robocallers. Be cautious about the apps you download and the info you share.
Mobile games, such as Mobile Legends Bang Bang, may collect and share personal information like phone numbers, IMEI, and IMZ without clear disclosure or purpose. This information could potentially be sold to third parties, including robocallers. It's important to be cautious about the apps we download and the information we share with them. Even seemingly harmless requests for phone numbers could lead to unwanted consequences. While it's not confirmed that Mobile Legends Bang Bang was definitively sharing user information with robocallers, the potential exists. Users should be aware of the information they're sharing and take steps to protect their privacy. Additionally, it's crucial for app developers to be transparent about data collection and usage to build trust with their users.
Listening to the podcast is like finding delightful fudge samples: The podcast offers valuable and enjoyable content worth your time, just like free fudge samples on the boardwalk.
Matt Lieber, the guest on the podcast, was compared to the delightful and unexpected free samples of fudge found on the boardwalk by the beach. This analogy emphasizes the value and enjoyment that listeners can get from tuning in to the show, which is available on various platforms like Spotify, Itunes, and other podcast providers. The podcast promises to deliver interesting content that is worth your time, just like how those free samples of fudge leave you craving for more. So, go ahead and give it a listen, and we'll be back in two weeks with another episode.
