Congress concerned over MagicBand security issues..

[dadddio]

I love sec 1b!
If you opt. Out will you have a disadvantage and have to wait in longer lines?

1B was one of the questions that convinced me that the Congressional staffer did absolutely no research beyond reading the NYT article.

The obvious answer to the question is that the person might have to wait in some longer lines.

Using the RFID card instead of the band will reportedly limit you only to the passive RFID chip and not the powered one. That means that the card will be good at FP returns and paying for stuff, but won't be able to be picked up by the 'non-touch' scanners. This might result in the holder not getting some push offers like FPs and, therefore, waiting in some lines longer than he otherwise would have. Cinderella also won't know who he is.

 

[Superspectral]

The point I'm not seeing made yet on this thread (and sorry if I missed it):

The issue, from the perspective of the government's role, only BEGINS with Disney. Disney appears to be the first huge corporation out of the gate with this particular use of RFID technology. To say that it begins and ends with whether or not you choose to vacation at WDW misses the point: once Disney does it, it's out there and then has the potential to expand, exponentially, in the blink of an eye.

So perhaps Disney CAN configure it in such a way that it's not easily hacked/intercepted by criminals (as one small example). OK, how have they achieved that, and should that become a standard going forward in how credit card data is carried and separated from personal data? I won't belabor the point, but it goes on and on -- Markey and his team are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing (regardless of whether you value that or not) -- they are keep tabs on what corporations are doing with data and looking ahead to what else might be coming.

If this works the way Disney intends, and meets existing requirements on privacy, security, advertising to children (regulated by law already whether you agree it should be or not), etc., then you can expect that it's the way the large grocery store and gas station chains will go, etc. etc. So are existing regulations sufficient? Is Disney setting the model that can scale up and be followed, or are there reasons to dig deeper and think about broader implications?

I agree with the poster. It is entirely appropriate that Congress and the government be concerned with how this system may be used.

The MagicBand looks like piece of jewelery. It is even more of a souvenier that you'd be taking home with you that the KTTW. Do you see the cute MagicBands the girls and boys are wearing in the photos? Are the kids going to wear them outside of Disney? To and from school?

Disney controls the information that have associated with the MagicBand ID number. Perhaps they intend to sell MagicBand sensors to third parties (maybe retailers)? They could sell the ID information - who you are if you don't check the privacy policy. So if your kids walk into the mall the sensors would know that - and retailers might pay to know that. They might even entice you - "Allow us to share your MagicBand ID and receive special offers by text when you shop at our retailing partners wearing you MagicBand!"

Furthermore, even if Disney never shares your personal information, there is may be nothing they can due technically to prevent third parties from selling sensors that can easily detect that a Disney Magic band, and associated unique ID is in the vicinity. So even if a third party doesn't know who you are exactly, they could tell you are carrying a Disney MagicBand RFID, and a Starbucks Rewards RFID, and your Supermarket RFID.

 

[johde]

You know that letter wasn't written by an actual Member of Congress, right? It was penned by a Congressional staffer who is probably in his 20s and fresh out of college, and judging by the questions, may or may not have read some of the posts here before writing it. They probably took about 20 second to brief the Representative on the issues when they had him sign the letter. I'm sure he's got plenty of time to do all the other important things that a Member of Congress does. Like, um....

That being said, Rep. Markey seems to be on a one man crusade for federal regulations of Amusement Parks. As soon as I saw it was from his office my first thought was not again, doesn't he have anything better to do. Over the past 12+ years, every time something happens at an amusement park Rep. Markey out there front and center. The following Link to a google search for Ed Markey in another Amusement park related message board shows some of his history in this area.

 

[Superspectral]

1B was one of the questions that convinced me that the Congressional staffer did absolutely no research beyond reading the NYT article.

I think that these kind of Congressional letters tend to be written in a way that gives the recipient the benefit of the doubt, and tries to avoid the appearance of the recipient is trying to be framed with bad intentions by only asking questions that imply a negative intent or result.

But frankly, Disney's inept PR roll out here is getting what it deserves (maybe). IMHO, the announcement was rolled out in a way that was guaranteed to arouse suspicion of motives.

Disney's PR on this has been kind of two faced; seemingly aimed at both park-goers AND investors. For the park-goers; this an initiative that (maybe) makes the experience more enjoyable for guests, which OUGHT to be sufficient to justify the investment - happier Disney guests means more Disney guests coming back more often, ergo revenue is maintained and increased. But for the investors; the message was also "wink wink nudge nudge" we are also going to secretly spy on our guests for marketing purposes in order to manipulate them into increasing revenue - look how tricky and clever businessmen we are. Having both these guest and investors dual mixed messages was just ham-handed. The old fashioned way of growing the bottom line is: Better product = better revenue. Of course, you can trick people into fees, watching advertising, buying too much and all sorts of slippery mumbo-jumbo. I guess it should be no surprise that this is all tied to smart phones! No there is a customer friendly and transparent business! No hidden fees or gotchas there, no sir.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Disney's PR on this has been kind of two faced; seemingly aimed at both park-goers AND investors.

Every move a public company makes has multiple audiences -- not just two, btw (customers, investors, employees, partners, etc.). And their roll-out communications of various kinds will speak to each constituency. There's absolutely nothing sneaky or two-faced about this. This is the way a successful company does business. Nothing unique here.

And it could well be that improved product & better marketing = greater revenue. I don't see the problem at this stage. And I happen to think that while Congress wears many hats, they wear most of them VERY poorly and maybe they should focus on the FEW BIG problems we face.

 

[SaraJayne]

I agree with the poster. It is entirely appropriate that Congress and the government be concerned with how this system may be used.

The MagicBand looks like piece of jewelery. It is even more of a souvenier that you'd be taking home with you that the KTTW. Do you see the cute MagicBands the girls and boys are wearing in the photos? Are the kids going to wear them outside of Disney? To and from school?

Disney controls the information that have associated with the MagicBand ID number. Perhaps they intend to sell MagicBand sensors to third parties (maybe retailers)? They could sell the ID information - who you are if you don't check the privacy policy. So if your kids walk into the mall the sensors would know that - and retailers might pay to know that. They might even entice you - "Allow us to share your MagicBand ID and receive special offers by text when you shop at our retailing partners wearing you MagicBand!"

Furthermore, even if Disney never shares your personal information, there is may be nothing they can due technically to prevent third parties from selling sensors that can easily detect that a Disney Magic band, and associated unique ID is in the vicinity. So even if a third party doesn't know who you are exactly, they could tell you are carrying a Disney MagicBand RFID, and a Starbucks Rewards RFID, and your Supermarket RFID.

If we are forced to use the Magic Bands on our next trip, they will be taken home with us and destroyed.

 

[Maleficent53]

delete

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

If we are forced to use the Magic Bands on our next trip, they will be taken home with us and destroyed.

Bonfire or smashed with a hammer ?

 

[Tink10]

The government has far more of my personal information than Disney ever will, and the sad thing is I trust them far less than I do Disney.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

The government has far more of my personal information than Disney ever will, and the sad thing is I trust them far less than I do Disney.

Sad, but true.

 

[UNCFanatik]

Instead of wrist bands, Disney should come out with RFID enabled tinfoil hats with Mickey ears...

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Instead of wrist bands, Disney should come out with RFID enabled tinfoil hats with Mickey ears...

There's a marketing job out there for you...

 

[disneyag]

DOESN'T CONGRESS HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO???? Really!

 

[SaraJayne]

Instead of wrist bands, Disney should come out with RFID enabled tinfoil hats with Mickey ears...

Mock and disparage all you want. It doesn't bother me in the least.

 

[mdsoccermom]

You know that letter wasn't written by an actual Member of Congress, right? It was penned by a Congressional staffer who is probably in his 20s and fresh out of college, and judging by the questions, may or may not have read some of the posts here before writing it. They probably took about 20 second to brief the Representative on the issues when they had him sign the letter. I'm sure he's got plenty of time to do all the other important things that a Member of Congress does. Like, um....

And having worked in the House and then 10 years lobbying Congress, I can tell you there is a VERY good and likely chance that the Congressman actually did ask for the letter to be written, and is aware of the issue.

And the DIS has a very high opinion of itself if it thinks members of Congress and their staff are getting ideas for their work from this board.

 

[Arielle22]

Yeah, hate to say it, but a few of us have expressed this same concern... It would be nice if this made the news... It's time to wake up the little lambs - Off to slaughter...

Why is it if someone has an opposing opinion they are sheep? This phrase really ticks me off (as you intend it to). Perhaps it is better to be a placid sheep than a paranoid person.

I am viewed by cameras for hours each day as I work in a large city. My bank can track my movements by the debit transactions (which I can see online within minutes of using the card). So I am not incognito now. Even my tivo analzyes my viewing and recording of shows to give me tivo suggestions.

It seems people are more woried about what might happen with the technology (someone else reading the chip or Disney selling the information)rather than what Disney uses it for.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

And the DIS has a very high opinion of itself if it thinks members of Congress and their staff are getting ideas for their work from this board.

True. They get them from places like the New York Times and Entertainment Tonight!

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

Instead of wrist bands, Disney should come out with RFID enabled tinfoil hats with Mickey ears...

 

[jtowntoflorida]

And the DIS has a very high opinion of itself if it thinks members of Congress and their staff are getting ideas for their work from this board.

I didn't say that they were getting ideas from this board. I'm pretty sure that this wouldn't be on anyone in Congress's radar without the NYT article, and I think that's the source of the concern. I also find it highly unlikely that a staffer wouldn't have utilized Google when doing research and crafting the letter. If you Google RFID+Disney+privacy one of the first hits that comes up is to a DISboards post, but there are 1000s of blogs about it as well. I just don't think a modern Congressional staffer would really ignore social media on any issue. 10 years ago, sure, but not today.

 

[Granny square]

If we are forced to use the Magic Bands on our next trip, they will be taken home with us and destroyed.

Almost lol'd until I realized you might be serious.