Just how much are the Magic Bands tracking?

[doconeill]

The name of that system is LILO.

I know that's the name of the current version of the resort reservation system...not sure it's the entire thing though...

 

[d-r]

their databases can't even track me enough not to send me three usb sticks for splitting a stay.

 

[Wishes Count]

Reports during earlier testing (this forum and others) have mentioned that a quick glance at the CMs ipad, resulted in a shocking amount of information being projected to a shocking number of CMs. So, yes, that somewhat sketchy CM at Pirates will know everything about you as you scan your Magic Band at the Mickey reader for your ride. If he kind of likes your 15 year old daughter, he knows where she lives and her room number. Nice huh.

Sorry but this is incorrect. Attractions Cast can only see your name and what time your FP time is. That is it.

That is nothing more and nothing less than the name that you gave WDW when you ordered your Magic Bands and is the same as the name that is printed on the inside of the band. It isn't tied to anything important. If you don't want a CM calling a child by name, change the name on the kid's Magic Band to something else like "boy" or "NOYB" or "pirate."

This is also incorrect, the band will read whatever name is attached to the MDE profile. So while your band may say "Big Momma" on it, it will still show up as "Karen"


Also to share on what CM's can see. The security guard at the gate can see your name and if you have a current resort reservation. It will also show if you have a dining reservation on that day. So no more lying about having a Chef Mickey's reservation and then walking over to MK. They are using the same scanners at the Auto Plaza.

The Park support and Guest Relations CMs with the iPads can view the information that is connected to your MDE such as resort reservation, tickets, FP. Similar to Guest Relations Lobby and Window locations and Concierge.

Truly though, nothing has changed. All of these CM's could have access to your resort reservation previously.

 

[Cais]

I know that's the name of the current version of the resort reservation system...not sure it's the entire thing though...

Nope. It's really just my Disney experience.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Mad Hattered]

This is also incorrect, the band will read whatever name is attached to the MDE profile. So while your band may say "Big Momma" on it, it will still show up as "Karen"

I hope for your sake, as a CM, that snarlingcoyote doesn't have a band named "Big Momma" and their real name is "Karen".

 

[cgates616]

of course once you enter the park you can cover your head with a tin foil hat so they can not read your thoughts

I can't stop laughing!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

of course once you enter the park you can cover your head with a tin foil hat so they can not read your thoughts

 

[5Hfan]

thank you to those who answered my question and shared information they had. I find the whole concept fascinating!

For those of you mocking me for being "paranoid" or in need of a "tin foil hat" for posting a question out of curiosity, I hope you have a magical day!

 

[JanaDee]

That is nothing more and nothing less than the name that you gave WDW when you ordered your Magic Bands and is the same as the name that is printed on the inside of the band. It isn't tied to anything important. If you don't want a CM calling a child by name, change the name on the kid's Magic Band to something else like "boy" or "NOYB" or "pirate."

The name that comes up on the screen is whatever name you have connected to your MDE, more than likely your real name, not what is on the band.

 

[doconeill]

Nope. It's really just my Disney experience.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Which would mean that they started implementing the system around December 2010 - which is when LILO started rolling out to the resorts. Boy that was a fun day...

 

[doconeill]

The name that comes up on the screen is whatever name you have connected to your MDE, more than likely your real name, not what is on the band.

I don't know if it shows both, but I know at least in one case it shows what was on the band. I had a friend (not totally the Disney type but his family is) who customized his band to be something not totally offensive but semi-derogatory about Mickey (not putting it here to not anger the moderators ), and a CM noticed it and look at him and shook his head...

 

[faneuil]

The name that comes up on the screen is whatever name you have connected to your MDE, more than likely your real name, not what is on the band.

Which kind of sucks for people with names commonly mispronounced, or for ppl who go by a different name, but have to use their given name for reservations, etc.

I've already been greeted by my name when entering the parks and at parking, and I don't have a MB yet. My mom has an odd ball name and I can tell CM will look at it and think, "no way am I mauling this woman's name".

 

[surferdave]

I've said it before but will repeat for new people: whenever my next trip eventually comes up, the week of my trip I am changing my first name in MDE so the CMs who are monitoring and thanking us will have to look at me and say "Thank you, Batman."

 

[flatlandcycle]

"Col. Bat Guano, if that really is your name..."

 

[jdrais]

Again, there is nothing on the bands to hack. At BEST, if someone were to scan ALL the ID codes on the band (there are at least two, and I understand there may actually be three -

...

As mentioned previously there are two types of transmitters in the band.

...

At any rate, feel free to wear the tinfoil hats if you like. Put them in the anti-RFID pouches when you don't need them.

Now why would you want to mess up a perfectly good tinfoil hat thread with technical information?

 

[rpk1951]

They can track me as much as they like, I still intend to have fun.

 

[faneuil]

I've said it before but will repeat for new people: whenever my next trip eventually comes up, the week of my trip I am changing my first name in MDE so the CMs who are monitoring and thanking us will have to look at me and say "Thank you, Batman."

Get a big group, and name everyone someone from the Avengers...

"Good morning Bruce, Tony, Natasha, Clint...etc"

 

[JanaDee]

I've said it before but will repeat for new people: whenever my next trip eventually comes up, the week of my trip I am changing my first name in MDE so the CMs who are monitoring and thanking us will have to look at me and say "Thank you, Batman."

 

[HopperFan]

Again, there is nothing on the bands to hack. At BEST, if someone were to scan ALL the ID codes on the band (there are at least two, and I understand there may actually be three - one for the active transmitter and two for the different frequency passive chips) and duplicate them somehow to a card or another band that isn't obviously fraudulent, again, AT BEST they'd be able to TRY to use your ticket credentials to enter the park (and if the finger scans are active, be denied and questioned by the CM who sees the name of the band's owner on their display away from the person using it), purchase an item (and need the PIN number), use your FP+ (not sure if they can find out when/where at the kiosks without additional info), and if they somehow know what resort you are staying at, MAYBE get in to your room but without knowing what room number, trying to scan it at every door is likely to wave very large red flags and lock it out.

To get ANY information about you, they need to have access to "Disney's Database of Everything" as I call it. Even if they surreptitiously can manage to scan the band at a CM terminal, that CM terminal likely only displays the information required at that terminal - I haven't seen it myself, but I understand that at a FP+ touchpoint, it only displays a person's name, and their FP+ time. At parking booths or park entrances, they can probably call up more information to better ID the person if needed - match against a drivers license, for instance.

If you're worried about a CM knowing your address and that you're on vacation, they already know it at the resorts, or when you show your ID when you arrive at the resort to check in.



Slightly different. The receivers in the toll booths are MUCH larger and sensitive, and for the more recent passive tags, put out a much larger and more powerful magnetic field - I personally wouldn't want to hang out next to one for hours.

As mentioned previously there are two types of transmitters in the band.

1) An active transmitter. This, based on battery and transmit power as reported to the FCC, can be read at around 9-15 feet without more focused receiving equipment. This is NOT used for most things, as it would have trouble distinguishing people in a crowd. It CAN be used for positional tracking, but basically within a 15 foot radius unless there is more than one directional receiver in range, but most receivers aren't directional in that regard. They basically say "IDXXXXXXXXXXXX" is near LOCATION - along with everyone else in range. The guest-visible use for this is supposed to be for certain special "experiences" where for instance a princess will know the name of a child or pt up a message on a screen when you pass by without anyone having to explicitly wave a band at a touchpoint.

2) A passive transmitter (x2, at different frequencies). This doesn't use the battery at all. Instead, you place it near an "active reader". The reader puts out a magnetic field. A wire in the band (which doubles as the antenna) converts the magnetic field into enough electricity to tell the chip to transmit its ID back to the receiver. The effective range of most passive systems, without very special equipment, is less than 10cm, and for many it's a lot less than that, depending on the power of the magnetic field. Disney's touchpoints are significantly low power enough that you have to be practically touching the touchpoint itself with the "hot point" of the band (where the Mickey head is). I think the location of the hot point on the band and the sensitivity of the touch point trip people up as I think it is awkward for people to turn their wrists that way, and why it seems to slow people up in the FP+ lines.

At any rate, feel free to wear the tinfoil hats if you like. Put them in the anti-RFID pouches when you don't need them.

Agreed, and great explanation of how the different transmitters work. In my post the Passive Transmitter would relate how they gather data on the individual guest and the Active transmitter is how they would determine traffic flow in and out all types of locations and collect data on number of guests vs sales.

The long range transmitting I mentioned liking it to Sunpass was to address on/off property question. I suppose my wording should have included they would need the special receiver to gather that data, like one on the highways. While I get that in my head, maybe wording didn't convey. It was just a possible option in future. I don't think they would invest in that because they have no control of the data after you leave so incomplete. They would more likely invest in on property data collection to in turn find ways to keep you on property by determining what the guests enjoy doing to encourage further spending.

No matter what they are tracking at the moment the potential for so much more is there and as technology improves with a lower cost, the MagicBands will change over time. If this bothers someone, then your option is the protection bags/cases or as someone said, get a locker except during FP+ times.

 

[pooh2001]

If a child is lost or abducted - the MB could help find the child.

Also - the MB may deter a terrorist coming to WDW. I am sure the FBI, CIA, and other Federal organizations have many names for a terrorist. So if such a person came to WDW - hopefully the authorities would be alerted and the person could be apprehended before anything bad happens.

I think the MB has more positivies than negatives.

When I go food shopping and use a check - they have my name, address, phone # and drivers license # written on my check.

So what makes a MB any different than my check written at a food store?

Just my 2 cents