Congress concerned over MagicBand security issues..

[mousermerf]

My initial reaction was COME ON! Congress couldn't find its way out of a paper bag with two hands a flashlight and they're writing letters about this?! But now I see the representative is from a small caucus whose job it is to monitor and protect the privacy of US citizens (bit of a oxymoron really, but still). So....I guess he raises valid concerns?

Well, Disney should have good answers prepared. We've assumed a lot - even the doom/gloom folks - based on the fact that Disney tends to be very good with the data it collects and how it is handled.

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

My initial reaction was COME ON! Congress couldn't find its way out of a paper bag with two hands a flashlight and they're writing letters about this?! But now I see the representative is from a small caucus whose job it is to monitor and protect the privacy of US citizens (bit of a oxymoron really, but still). So....I guess he raises valid concerns?

You mean privacy issues like illegal wire tapping! I guess they are just taking baby steps and focusing on Disney first.

 

[Ladcassidy]

The Congressional Privacy Caucus is not a committee, and it does not have subpoena power. As such, Disney will not be forced to respond to Representative Markey's inquiry, or may choose to answer some of the questions and not others. The Privacy Caucus sent similar letter-inquiries to several big credit bureaus last summer, and most of them provided at least a basic response.

 

[starjazz]

Citizens aren't forced to go to wdw so if they have a big problem with their policy and procedures then vacation some where else. I wish our government would care a little less about trivial things and more about serious issues like I don't know a budget!

I suppose this could quickly degrade into a very political thread - should have known by the title.

As others above said, this is part of the job of the Congress. They legislate all kinds of regulations related to private industry. You're not forced to get a credit card, or see a doctor, or buy a house, or listen to the radio, or fly on an airplane or drive a car, or blah blah, but they regulate all of that too.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I'd like to know the answer to question 1b. Lol

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I wondering if the findings will be made public..

I would think that the Freedom of Information Act would require disclosure of Disney's response.


Regardless of whether Congress "should" be looking into this...I'm glad they are. I think a Member of Congress is more likely to get a response than any of us DISboarders. I'll be interested in seeing the answers, for sure.

 

[Lehuaann]

This sounds like it has more to do with children and the information collected on them.....why would anyone have an issue with that?

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

This sounds like it has more to do with children and the information collected on them.....why would anyone have an issue with that?

How I would love to get into the whole protect the children debate with you but I believe my thoughts and opinions on the subject would violate many of the rules here on this board.

 

[stindall]

This sounds like it has more to do with children and the information collected on them.....why would anyone have an issue with that?

Yeah I'm gonna go ahead and say you're a little paranoid.

 

[Schmeck]

Well, considering the first paragraph states that guests have the choice to use the bands or not, what's the issue? If you don't want to be 'traced' for marketing, then don't get a freaking magicband. Same as using a credit card, shopping online, etc, all these are personal choices. One does not have to use these things, there are other alternatives. Not too happy that my tax dollars are being wasted yet again for a frivolous issue. Should be see if Mickey is on steroids next?

 

[mousermerf]

I dont think anything intentionally unscrupulous is going on at Disney, but they may have overlooked something - it's not the first time their "good intentions" led them astray. In general as a company they do try to proactively meet and exceed legal requirements.

 

[mousermerf]

Well, considering the first paragraph states that guests have the choice to use the bands or not, what's the issue? If you don't want to be 'traced' for marketing, then don't get a freaking magicband. Same as using a credit card, shopping online, etc, all these are personal choices. One does not have to use these things, there are other alternatives. Not too happy that my tax dollars are being wasted yet again for a frivolous issue. Should be see if Mickey is on steroids next?

The letter also questions if people will be "punished" for not using the band. The "card" alternative that we've talked about seems to be the way around that. The card allows everything except the battery powered RFID that "pings" and tells Disney your location. The bands have the battery powered and non-battery RFID, the cards just have non-battery.

 

[mousermerf]

You know, I sort of expected some sort of response from Disney or interest in the news cycle by now.. Doesn't seem to be getting much traction in the media though. Slow simmer maybe, like with Habit Heroes. The original article that all the others cited was posted a few days before the media outbreak.

 

[meowmarie]

You know it's just because Rep Markey wants to make dining reservations for his March trip and doesn't know if he can book 3 FP+ or 4.

 

[1stvisit0909]

I am really glad that there is not any important business that congress need to worry about.

 

[mousermerf]

Ah.. first response:

"In an emailed statement, Angela Bliss, a Disney spokeswoman, emphasized that the MyMagic+ program is completely optional.

"Disney’s privacy policies and practices are fully transparent and guests can choose whether or not to participate in MyMagic+. In addition, guests control whether their personal information is used for promotional purposes and no data collected is ever used to market to children," she said.

She added the program is designed to make the theme park "more personalized, seamless and customized than ever before."

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-v...an-to-track-kids-with-bracelets#ixzz2IvzNMtjt

 

[maxiesmom]

Should be see if Mickey is on steroids next?

Geeze, don't give them any ideas!!!!

Anything to avoid having to do real, important work.

 

[Jestocost]

You know it's just because Rep Markey wants to make dining reservations for his March trip and doesn't know if he can book 3 FP+ or 4.

As an aside, I used to wait on Markey regularly (1-2 times per month) at a restaurant in DC many years ago. He always ordered the same thing, he always complained about something, and he always was generally a huge jerk.

 

[Kona65]

Interesting....TDBIASWS.

 

[disneydreaming92701]

Seriously!!! What a bunch idiots and to think we vote these fools into office sometimes over and over again!

So true