The Flinchum File

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In Praise of Cigarette Companies

Which American company do I trust the least:  Cigarette companies which merely peddle death or Big Tech, like Facebook or Google, which merely shred privacy.  Cigarette companies have labels admitting their product may cause death and misery.  Facebook and Google don’t admit there are any bad effects from selling personal information about you to strangers.  At least, the cigarette companies are more honest and upfront.

Google just admitted that their keypad and motion sensor device, called Nest Guard, has a hidden microphone in it.  They can listen to the quiet conversation with your spouse or when you yell at your kids.  And, they record it, taking notes that they can sell to strangers.  Google did not admit this until they were caught.

If the FBI wants to eases-drop on you, it needs court permission.  If Google wants to eases-drop, you just need to buy one of their products.  You should go to court, telling the judge that you actually want strangers to eases-drop on you.

Sadly, the value of privacy is greatly under-appreciated!