Show HN: Optery – See the private info data brokers are posting about you online

Re:Show HN: Optery – See the private info data brokers are p... by dheera on Monday June 28, 2021 @08:58PM (#27670368)

Best thing I can say is

(a) move

(b) do NOT register for USPS forwarding to your new address (USPS will help the data brokers)

(d) get a UPS mail box for your day-to-day corporate mail, and preferably most of your personal mail as well

Completely 100% refuse to ever give out your residential address for anything business-related.

In addition, a couple of other common culprits for unethically releasing addresses to data brokers:

- DMV -- opt out explicitly

- Voter registration - Don't register to vote if you aren't in a swing state

- Utilities -- opt out explicitly

- Credit cards -- opt out explicitly

- Random small e-commerce websites you need to receive packages from -- ship them to your UPS box or to your workplace if you can

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Show HN: Optery – See the private info data brokers are p... by eastbayjake on Tuesday June 29, 2021 @01:18PM (#27678880)

> Voter registration - Don't register to vote if you aren't in a swing state

With all due respect: this is quite silly. There are many issues in American democracy besides the election of federal officials, and your vote is important. In my home state I voted on >15 ballot initiatives this year and several were decided by a few thousand votes, including kitchen table issues that meaningfully impact your life and immediate community in more tangible ways than our president or your senators.

I would much rather have a voice in e.g. how my community addresses homelessness than avoid the nuisance of cigarette coupons that have followed me across 7 addresses in 3 states.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Show HN: Optery – See the private info data brokers are p... by DataBrokerLol on Monday June 28, 2021 @10:00PM (#27670817)

I would recommend against explicitly recommending voter fraud to people, regardless of the intent.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Show HN: Optery – See the private info data brokers are p... by dheera on Monday June 28, 2021 @10:14PM (#27670922)

(I didn't think that was illegal if you were in the same district, but edited it anyway)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Show HN: Optery – See the private info data brokers are p... by DataBrokerLol on Monday June 28, 2021 @10:35PM (#27671070)

It is, and it is (I thought?) common knowledge due to the high profile cases where this was abused. There's nothing morally wrong about doing it, but it is illegal and people do face consequences for it.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Show HN: Optery – See the private info data brokers are p... by dheera on Monday June 28, 2021 @11:08PM (#27671258)

Hm. So how do homeless people register to vote? Can I register in the same way? Cursory Google search seems to indicate you only need a mailing address, and your residence can be described as a cross street or some such.

I mean, I don't care if the government knows where I live, but I do care if they leak it to people without my explicit consent.

[ Parent | on HN ]