TARTLE has a simple mission – to put people back in control of their own data. To help people be able to decide whether or not to share their data when and with whom. A big part of that is making it possible to actually protect their privacy in a digital age that increasingly encroaches on it.
One of the biggest threats to our privacy is also one of the most prevalent items in the developed world, the smartphone. By now, everyone is aware that they track in some way shape or form everything you do on them. Every click, swipe, search is being recorded and transmitted somewhere for purposes that we can’t even begin to speculate on. Pretty much every app on your phone is also recording and transmitting your information. There are likely dozens of different entities that are recording your data without your consent, all through that powerful little rectangle in your pocket. Then of course there is the fact that the modern smartphone is probably the most effective tracking device ever invented. Not only does it keep track of every move you make, you actually want to have it with you. Somewhere, Orwell is rolling over in his grave.
With their recent merger with Sprint, T-Mobile is now the second biggest cell service provider in the United States. That puts the company in a position to have a significant effect on your privacy. So it seems like a pretty good time to start looking at their latest privacy policy. After all, that is the document that lets you know what your rights are as a T-Mobile customer.
Getting into the policy, T-Mobile starts off pretty strong. They talk about maintaining privacy, which would at least seem to imply that they are planning on working, making corrections as necessary to actually keep your information private. Logically, that would mean that not only do they intend on not violating it themselves, they would also be making it harder for third party apps to infringe on your privacy.
From there, the statement goes on to emphasize how T-Mobile customers deserve transparency. That sounds good, right? Ah, but as we continue things start to get murky. The statement talks about how they are making it easier for customers to protect their privacy. So, that brings up an important question – who is working hard to maintain my privacy? T-Mobile, or me? As a matter of principle, my privacy is my responsibility but then it would be nice if T-Mobile didn’t make a bunch of noises implying something different. If you’re going through this with a critical eye it comes off as a trifle disingenuous.
Which brings us to the real kicker. While they are telling us they are very interested in protecting our privacy and being transparent and that virtually nothing has changed, they then turn around and let us know that they’ll be selling user data to third party advertisers. Which I suppose is transparent since they told us they were going to do it. And in case that might upset you, they have the magic words that most companies are including these days – you have the ability to opt out of data sharing.
Again, who exactly is working to ensure my privacy here? Why is it up to me to opt out of something that I might not fully understand in the first place? Wouldn’t it be both more honest and transparent to require that I opt into a data sharing program? It at least is more likely that I would actually know what it is that I’m getting myself into.
Supposedly they aren’t sharing your name either, but that is hardly important, they already have enough information to determine who you are. Again, this is disingenuous.
Finally, with the advertising, they are also going to continue to serve you up ads that may or may not be in any way relevant to you directly. Too many people don’t really fit into neat little categories. Believe it or not, it is possible for someone to be sitting around watching UFC while ordering a vest from Patagonia and reading articles on the environment. That kind of behavior has to play hell with the algorithms.
In the end, this privacy policy starts strong but quickly makes it clear that we are getting more of the same. Putting people into buckets and forcing people to opt out of programs they might not even be aware of in the first place. That’s no way to build trust or protect people’s data privacy.
What’s your data worth? Sign up and join the TARTLE Marketplace with this link here.
