Wi-Fi operators must notify device users of potential data processing Organisations that provide Wi-Fi services to their staff or customers must notify device users of the potential for their data to be analysed before they begin to process their information, the UK's data protection watchdog has said. Wireless connectivity between Wi-Fi connection points and electronic devices, like mobile …
The problem with free wifi is when it's complementary. Does that mean it's included in your bill or you're the product? There's hotels in the lake district who advertise inclusive wifi but when you try to use it it's unencrypted and features an agreement page requiring you to give a working email and agree to be harvested.
Thankfully I always have a throwaway email address and a vpn available.
I do something very similar. I got fed up with the avalanche of spam I got every time I took out a new car insurance policy that I set up an account "insurancespam@myprovider.com".
Since the account is genuine I do get the documentation I need, but then ignore the account for the rest of the year. It's now my account when signing up for any "free" service.
Should be more along the line of "So, who is paying for it and why ?".
We all know that there is no such thing as a free lunch. If someone is buying for you, they most likely expect something in return (not talking about friends here). Knowing who is offering can most often enlighten as to what the expectations are.
Don't know why WiFi specifically is being singled out - basically connect any device to a public communications service, especially the Internet using a mobile or fixed line and there is the potential for both local data processing by the access point operator and any of the ad networks eavesdropping on your communications with websites.
Can't see how Ofcom can prevent the ad networks gathering data, unless they mandate everyone implements adblocking as per Three...
I used a free 'WiFi' network at a Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico a couple of years ago now. My 'throw away' email is still getting offers from the place. This is despite me not ticking the box about letting them send marketing emails etc. I did check, it wasn't a double negative question either.
Vodafone bought a company last year that their entire business plan is on WiFi harvesting, WiFi directed advertising and the ilk so the harvesting is well underway already.
I doubt the operators (Mobile OR Wifi) will take ANY notice of this new instruction from the ICO. It'll be nigh on impossible to police and even harder to prove an extraction was done.
Of course, it just dawns on me that with the Snoopers Charter, the ICO may be trying to preempt likely snopping by the commercial sectors and solely wants that for the Spooks!
Unless I missed something, all that it will likely require is that the operator insert a disclaimer somewhere in the initial screens, with wording similar to "we might process your data". That would satisfy the lawyers and the company is covered. They might look at your data, or they might not.
United States did something similar with allergy warnings on food. People got legislation in place that a company must notify if there is a possibility of the product having allergens in it. Answer? Nearly every product has a warning "this product may contain ingredients that people are allergic to."
""we might process your data""
If they collect it AT ALL - and by definition, they do - they're "processing" as defined in the UK DPA.
Not sure what the issue is here: the DPA has ALWAYS required "fair processing" (1st Principle), and that necessitates an up-front privacy/fair processing notice...
Wifi isn't just used for connecting to the internet with respect to shoppers, but also to track them.
Nothing really new here. Going back over a decade and supermarkets and shopping centres were image processing the CCTV footage to track shoppers and plot their walk through the store/centre.
Also it would not surprise me if the supermarkets track the self-scanning devices that have become more popular in recent years...
"There are certainly places that provide free wi-fi purely to attract more customers than their competition rather than making money from harvested information. I know a couple of pubs that do so - no login or sign-up required."
Same here, but it's becoming more and more rare. One of our local pubs is now using a service to provide their WIfI so what was previously completely free now requires registration and limits you to 30 minutes access once you connect.
Now, considering it's a pub and they want people to stay (and keep spending) for as long as possible, that's the stupidest idea I've come across in a long while. It might make sense in coffee shops and cafes where they want rapid customer churn, but not in a pub.
It identifies as "_Free Pub Wifi" and the connection page is something called Arq.
"If anyone tried that with me the only direction I'd move would be out."
You are assuming that the retailers/service providers aren't "subtle" enough that you will notice. Nowadays these technologies are getting less and less obvious. Sometimes it isn't about an individual but about using the information gathered from many devices (over time) to "guide" the masses.
Says it all, really.
One of the properties of wireless networks is that everyone within range of your station -- and whoever you're talking to -- is going to receive your data. "Its how WiFi works". (...and if they receive it they're going to analyze it if nothing else to be able to participate on that network...)
We still haven't advanced conceptually from the notion of a 'radio' as a walnut veneer box with a rounded top, a dial that lights up that saying "This is the BBC Home Service" in stentorian tones. Excuse me while I "tune in" Starbucks....
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