Offended Bob Iger Responds to Congressman Markey on MyMagic

[WaltD4Me]

Bob Iger sends letter in response to Congressman Markey's concerns about NextGen/My Magic. He sounds none to pleased.

Response Letter:

January 28, 2013

The Honorable Edward Markey

2108 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515

Congressman Markey:

For 90 years, Disney has been synonymous with high-quality entertainment for families and children of all ages. We use creativity, innovation and technology to create memorable moments and experiences for our hundreds of millions of customers and guests. And, as you well know, Disney’s record and commitment to children’s safety and security and the protection of their privacy is exemplary. People around the world trust Disney and its products. That trust is the cornerstone of our company, and we take it very seriously.

We are offended by the ludicrous and utterly ill-informed assertion in your letter dated January 24, 2013, that we would in any way haphazardly or recklessly introduce a program that manipulates children, or wantonly puts their safety at risk.

It is truly unfortunate and extremely disappointing that you chose to publicly attack us before taking the time to review our policies and/or contact us for information, which would have obviated the need for your letter. Had you or your staff made the slightest effort, you would have found most of the answers to your questions already existed and were publicly available online at http://corporate.disney.go.com/corporate/pp.html and https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/my-disney-experience/privacy-policy/.

In the enclosed attachment, we address the questions in your letter about our new, yet-to-be launched program, MyMagic+. However, to ensure that you fully understand our practices as they pertain to children, and our commitment to our guests’ privacy, let me be clear and reiterate the basic facts.

MyMagic+ is a completely optional program that was designed with privacy controls from the outset. Disney does not use personal information to market to children under age 13, does not personalize or target advertisements to an individual child, and never shares children’s personal information with any third party for their marketing purposes. Additionally, parents have full control over their child’s participation in MyMagic+. We have transparent privacy practices, guests can control and limit the amount of information they provide to us — and how their information is used.

Further details are attached

Sincerely,
Robert A Iger

 

[sayhello]

Good for Iger!

Sayhello

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Good for him. I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[Gantu]

The Honorable Edward Markey just got SERVED! Disney style

 

[FLbronco]

Thanks for sharing letter.

Great reply Mr. Iger! Well said.

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

Ah - the power of the written word Love it!

Laurie

 

[wiigirl]

The Honorable Edward Markey just got SERVED! Disney style

 

[WebmasterPete]

I'm not questioning the OP's integrity in any way by saying this - but there is no way the CEO of a Fortune 20 company sent a letter like that to a ranking member of Congress and a man who is likely to succeed John Kerry in the Senate. That's the letter I WOULD HAVE SENT - not Bob Iger.

If it is authentic, and that's actually what Iger sent - then he's weeks away from retiring and has just stopped caring.

With that said, I completely agree with the sentiments in the letter

Pete

UPDATED: Oh lord, it was accurate!! It was the real letter. OMG. Get out your popcorn.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I'm not questioning the OP's integrity in any way by saying this - but there is no way the CEO of a Fortune 20 company sent a letter like that to a ranking member of Congress and a man who is likely to succeed John Kerry in the Senate. That's the letter I WOULD HAVE SENT - not Bob Iger.

If it is authentic, and that's actually what Iger sent - then he's weeks away from retiring and has just stopped caring.

With that said, I completely agree with the sentiments in the letter

Pete

UPDATED: Oh lord, it was accurate!! It was the real letter. OMG. Get out your popcorn.

Not feeling questioned, but I was just coming to give a link to Politico where I first read about the letter. I see Pete found confirmation though. It is pretty stunning coming from Iger, I was really surprised when I read it too. I think he wanted to strongly and definitively nip the privacy concerns, before it got out of control.

 

[mnra]

maybe it is time for people to tell the senators and congressmen that they do not know everything. By the tone of the letter It doesn;t sound like the PR department reviewed it lol

 

[skier_pete]

My guess is even the hint that Disney is not concerned with child safety pretty much trumps everything for Disney. Iger did not write that letter, but the fact that the response was swift and harsh tells me that Disney's legal department is more concerned about looking weak from a safety/security standpoint than they are about offending a high-level politician.

 

[FortForever]

I love the letter!

Translation:

Get a grip! And do some research before you open your mouth next time.

 

[stimmons]

Way to go Mr. Iger!

 

[MrRomance]

Poke that where the sun don't shine!

Well done, Bob Iger

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I was thinking that the letter sounded very Pete-ish myself. LOL

-sitting back awaiting the result of this and it being discussed on the show-

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I loved the response!

FYI, here is a link to Iger's letter, and the two-page attachment he provided with some details.

http://www.insidethemagic.net/2013/...letter-addressing-magicband-privacy-concerns/

ETA: And just found fully transcribed version as well, from http://coreplex.blogspot.com/2013/01/bob-igers-response-to-rep-ed-markey.html, in case anyone is interested:

(Begin Letter)
January 28, 2013
The Honorable Edward Markey
2108 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Congressman Markey:

For 90 years, Disney has been synonymous with high-quality entertainment for families and children of all ages. We use creativity, innovation and technology to create memorable moments and experiences for our hundreds of millions of customers and guests. And, as you well know, Disneys record and commitment to childrens safety and security and the protection of their privacy is exemplary. People around the world trust Disney and its products. That trust is the cornerstone of our company, and we take it very seriously.
We are offended by the ludicrous and utterly ill-informed assertion in your letter dated January 24, 2013, that we would in any way haphazardly or recklessly introduce a program that manipulates children, or wantonly puts their safety at risk.

It is truly unfortunate and extremely disappointing that you chose to publicity attack us before taking the time to review our policies and/or contact us for information, which would have obviated the need for your letter. Had you or your staff made the slightest effort, you would have found most of the answers to your questions already existed and were publically available online at http://corporate.disney.go.com/corporate/pp.html and https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/my-disney-experience/privacy-policy/

In the enclosed attachment, we address the questions in your letter about our new, yet-to-be-launched program, MyMagic+. However, to ensure that you fully understand our practices as they pertain to children, and our commitment to our guests privacy, let me be clear and reiterate the basic facts.

MyMagic+ is a completely optional program that was designed with the privacy controls from the outset. Disney does not use personal information to market to children under age 13, does not personalize or target advertisements to an individual child, and never shares childrens personal information with any third party for their marketing purposes. Additionally, parents have full control over their childs participation in MyMagic+. We have transparent privacy practices, guests can control and limit the amount of information they provide to us  and how their information is used.

Further details are attached.

Sincerely,
(signature)
Robert A Iger

(Begin Addendum)

MyMagic+ is a completely optional program
Guests can enjoy admission to the park without having to register or provide any personal information. But guests who do choose to participate in MyMagic+ will enjoy the convenience of having their tickets, guaranteed ride times for shows and attractions, resort room access and other enhanced features all in one place. Using MagicBands or cards for purchases is also optional.

MyMagic+ was designed with privacy controls from the outset

The hallmarks of privacy by design are transparency and customer control, and these are central to Disneys overall privacy policies and practices, which can be found at http://corporate.disney.go.com/corporate/pp.html

Disney does not use personal information to market to children under age 13
Disney does not personalize or target advertisements to an individual child
Disney never shares childrens personal information with any third party for their marketing purposes
Parents have full control over their childs participation in MyMagic+

Parents control whether or not their child participates in MyMagic+, how much information is shared with us, what experiences the child will engage in and whether they use a MagicBand at all. Children cannot create individual registration accounts for MyMagic+.

Parents decide whether to provide information about their childs preferences (such as favorite character or favorite color) for personalized services. These personalized services are also optional.
No matter what the parent decides, Disney does not use personal information to market to children under age 13 and does not personal or target advertising to individual children. Furthermore, we never share childrens personal information with any third party for their marketing purposes.

Disney has transparent privacy practices

Information about the privacy practices associated with the MagicBand is available in multiple locations. Even though the program has not been launched yet, specific information about MyMagic+ and the MagicBand is already available to guests at https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/my-disney-experience/privacy-policy and available for their review before they decide whether to participate. Additional information about other aspects of the enhanced guest experiences can be found at
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/login
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

Consistent with best practices, when the MagicBand becomes available to our guests we will once again provide the guests with full notice about the information that will be collected by the MagicBand. At that time, the guest can elect to use a card instead, as described more fully below.

Guests can control and limit the amount of personal information they provide to us

Guests who participate in MyMagic+ only provide basic contact information: name, email, address and date of birth. Guests would also provide the name and age of other members of their travel party participating in the program. This information is used to establish the account the guests will use to participate in the program, and is consistent with both practices utilized by the hospitality and travel industries for guest registration and what our resort guests provide today. MyMagic+ participants provide any additional information only at their option.

Guests control how their information is used

Guest's personal data is not stored in the MagicBand. The MagicBand is not GPS-based and does not enable collection of continuous location signals. The long-range readers which detect the MagicBands will be in specific locations for the purpose of providing better service to our guests.

Guests can participate in MyMagic+ and visit the park without using the MagicBand by choosing a card instead. The card contains a short-range chip whose location cannot be detected by the long-range readers stationed in the park. We also plan to provide the option for such guests to use the Fast Pass [sic] system by simply providing basic contact information (name and email address). As is also true for parties using MyMagic+, the system would not require separate email addresses for other members of the guest party.

We will not share location information collected in connection with the MagicBand throughout The Walt Disney Company without the consent of the guest.

As is always the case at Disney, guests participating in MyMagic+ can choose not to receive marketing information from us. MyMagic+ also allows guests to receive offers and tips during their visit to the Walt Disney World parks and resorts, but only if they request them from us.

As described in the Disney privacy policy found at http://corporate.disney.go.com/corporate/pp.html guests can ask us to amend or delete personal information we may hold about them.

 

[Danibelle]

Not feeling questioned, but I was just coming to give a link to Politico where I first read about the letter. I see Pete found confirmation though. It is pretty stunning coming from Iger, I was really surprised when I read it too. I think he wanted to strongly and definitively nip the privacy concerns, before it got out of control.

Bravo to Disney! I think that the Congressman was kind of out of line with his letter. Usually Congressional inquiries deal with executive government agencies, NOT private companies.

 

[buckeev]

WOW!
IF this REALLY did get to Congressman "MALARKEY" in this form, I truly have a new appreciation for Disney's Top Cop!!!

 

[circhead]

Markey was just another politician going off the deep end without the facts just to get his name in the paper.

Iger had to use as public a forum as the Congressman otherwise the vast majority of people wouldn't know the full facts of the issue.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Markey was just another politician going off the deep end without the facts just to get his name in the paper.

Iger had to use as public a forum as the Congressman otherwise the vast majority of people wouldn't know the full facts of the issue.

Agreed. Markey faces an uphill battle for a senate seat in MA -- quick way to get his name in the paper for "protecting our kids". Wonder if that'll backfire...