Congress concerned over MagicBand security issues..

[doconeill]

Completely optional...as long as you don't want a FastPass+

 

[dadddio]

Just saw this on twitter... From LaughingPlace.com...

"Today, Disney CEO Bob Iger strongly responded to the letter. Among his comments: ...

perfect response.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I am "deeply concerned" about congress and have written a letter to my congressman. Eight months later I'm still waiting for his reply.

Yup. Like most politicians (IMHO), what Markey is "deeply concerned" about is an election (http://thehill.com/homenews/campaig...sted-in-massachusetts-senate-special-election).

Quick way to get your name in the news as a protector of all our children, go after Disney... even though other companies have been using similar technology for years. Awesome job!

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[Sammie]

Way to go Bob,

 

[finedice]

Completely optional...as long as you don't want a FastPass+

That was one of the original questions.... no?

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Completely optional...as long as you don't want a FastPass+

Yup! Decisions, decisions...

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[dadddio]

Yup. Like most politicians (IMHO), what Markey is "deeply concerned" about is an election (http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/279529-rep-markeys-mettle-to-be-tested-in-massachusetts-senate-special-election).

Quick way to get your name in the news as a protector of all our children, go after Disney... even though other companies have been using similar technology for years. Awesome job!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I'm thinking that he wasn't planning on Iger eating his lunch.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

perfect response.

Way to go Bob,

I'm with you guys. DH loved it... and the fact that they've been as public in their response as Markey was with his "concerns". Iger sounds about as worried in his response as I expected he'd be.

I'm sure they're still prepared to deal with whatever PR stuff comes out of this -- but Disney is no stranger to PR or to dealing (VERY successfully) with Washington!

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[larryz]

OK. AFAI'mC, Iger earned a big chunk of his huge annual compensation with that letter.

 

[goofy4prez]

Agreed - many of those seem to be pretty important. Congress protects the rights of its citizens - good for them.

Seems like they are more concerned about what rights they can take away or regulate further than protecting existing rights.

 

[Superspectral]

Iger's outrage and defensive tone was foolish. It was not a very good way to placate your critics. We in the DIS have been spending weeks trying to decipher FP+/MyMagic+/and the MagicBand; and while one can sort of get a picture about what you *think* Disney might be trying to do, there is an awful lot of "fill in the blanks" and vague lawyer speak.

The worst that Markey wrote was "...could potentially have a harmful impact on our children..."

I think it is a stretch to infer that Markey was implying that Disney was being "haphazzard" or "wanton" or "reckless" or that concerns (just because it is Disney) must somehow be "ludicrous" and "utterly ill-informed".

Anyway, IMHO it is best to respond to these kinds of things firmly but dispassionately. This kind of response seems like "Who are you to ask US, we are Disney! Go away". Big mistake with Congressional committees.

By being so flippant, Iger *created news and drew attention to controversial views*. Sure, many will agree with him. But many more of those who would not be so inclined to trust the word of the Mouse will be made aware of the story.

Anyway, Iger pretty much guaranteed that from now on the press will call the initiative:

"Disney's controversial MyMagic+/MagicBand"

Stupid.

 

[dadddio]

Iger's outrage and defensive tone was foolish. It was not a very good way to placate your critics. We in the DIS have been spending weeks trying to decipher FP+/MyMagic+/and the MagicBand; and while one can sort of get a picture about what you *think* Disney might be trying to do, there is an awful lot of "fill in the blanks" and vague lawyer speak.

The worst that Markey wrote was "...could potentially have a harmful impact on our children..."

I think it is a stretch to infer that Markey was implying that Disney was being "haphazzard" or "wanton" or "reckless" or that concerns (just because it is Disney) must somehow be "ludicrous" and "utterly ill-informed".

Anyway, IMHO it is best to respond to these kinds of things firmly but dispassionately. This kind of response seems like "Who are you to ask US, we are Disney! Go away". Big mistake with Congressional committees.

I disagree. His response wasn't to sway the critics or paranoid. It was to reassure the average person who would read Markey's letter and think that there must be something to the concerns if Congress was looking into it. Cutting Markey off at the knees was a bonus.

 

[finedice]

It was a great response - (although not really exemplary for Disney employees). I think they needed it for damage control after the original letter went public. I don't think they appreciated the negative press for this initiative just as they are rolling it out. Unfortunately, we still don't know anything we didn't before it was written - without the attachment, except that BI wants to come across ticked (perhaps justifiably).

I think Disney does a good job of moderating their online games, their websites, and has children's best interests at heart in many respects. Despite the BI's tone in the letter, I do think they collect data on kids, and use it to sell them products. I believe they push the limits of what is legal, even if they do not cross the line. You have to admit - they do market well.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Completely optional...as long as you don't want a FastPass+

Exactly. It clearly states that it wont tailor marketing to an individual child however it doesn't say it wont market to ANY individual. It makes no mention of the fact they might tailor marketing to the parents.

This new system is making me personally very uncomfortable. Yes you can opt out but only if you want to lose privileges. If Disney really isn't "doing anything wrong" why can't we keep using the KTTW card if we chose to?

 

[dadddio]

Exactly. It clearly states that it wont tailor marketing to an individual child however it doesn't say it wont market to ANY individual. It makes no mention of the fact they might tailor marketing to the parents.

This new system is making me personally very uncomfortable. Yes you can opt out but only if you want to lose privileges. If Disney really isn't "doing anything wrong" why can't we keep using the KTTW card if we chose to?

Because the KTTW card is old technology that will no longer be compatible with the equipment used to unlock a hotel door, get into a theme park, get a FP, or anything else that you would use a KTTW card for. All those things will now require an RFID chip, which the KTTW card does not have.

 

[Sammie]

Because the KTTW card is old technology that will no longer be compatible with the equipment used to unlock a hotel door, get into a theme park, get a FP, or anything else that you would use a KTTW card for. All those things will now require an RFID chip, which the KTTW card does not have.

The KTTW might not be available after the Magic Band is introduced but it does have the RFID chip right now to open the doors.

 

[Coyotesweat]

Because the KTTW card is old technology that will no longer be compatible with the equipment used to unlock a hotel door, get into a theme park, get a FP, or anything else that you would use a KTTW card for. All those things will now require an RFID chip, which the KTTW card does not have.

Actually the new kttw cards are RFID, since you can "tap to pay" or "tap to open door" etc. Which is why the current guests can get in the new turnstiles and open their doors with the new non-swipe locks. The advantage to the wristbands is space for an active transmitter so they can be read at greater distances, say, 4 meters. That allows for the character and ride interactions. Here is a link to a random RFID sales site. No recommendation but at least the info is in English.
http://www.rfidwristband.com/custom-rewearable-rfid-wristbands/

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Actually the new kttw cards are RFID, since you can "tap to pay" or "tap to open door" etc. Which is why the current guests can get in the new turnstiles and open their doors with the new non-swipe locks. The advantage to the wristbands is space for an active transmitter so they can be read at greater distances, say, 4 meters. That allows for the character and ride interactions. Here is a link to a random RFID sales site. No recommendation but at least the info is in English.
http://www.rfidwristband.com/custom-rewearable-rfid-wristbands/

And this is where I personally have the issue. If I choose to tap my card on a FP or park entrance, that is one thing. But if my chip can be read up to 4 metres away, that means Disney could technically be able to pinpoint every single guest within the park. They would know where and when you went to the toilet, that you went into a certain gift shop for 7 minutes, that you went to meet Aladdin and Jasmine, that you went into Casey's Corner at 1:17pm and exactly what you purchased.... It just feels VERY icky to me. Yes you can opt out but you can't use FP+, Photopass and other things so they're really forcing you in many ways to opt in. What if I stay on property and opt out of the band? Will there be a regular key to charge back to my room or open the door? Disney isn't putting all this money into the new Magic Bands for guest convenience, it's to increase profit and other reasons known only to them.

And it still feels VERY icky to me.

 

[mummabear]

Maybe i'm being naive but I think they are trying to collect this info to make guests experiences better (with the end result that the happier you are the more you will hopefully spend). They will be able to direct staff, extra character meet and greets and increase ride capacity to disperse the crowds. They will also have better data to make descions about what rides to keep, what to revamp, what is and isnt working in the park.

 

[dadddio]

I still can't figure out why people have a problem with a company knowing where someone is when he/she visits their business.