Privacy (or the lack of it)

The Question of the Day today really caught me, but I didn't want to post much on that thread and possibly derail it. That post is primarily about smart tvs. I want to talk about privacy or not having any privacy, as the case may be.

The whole thing about privacy is scary to me. I don't give our main email address out to just anybody; I never have.  Rick doesn't think a thing of it. We share an email address and he gave it to somebody in his class because she was working on a class reunion. Well, heck! I think she gave the email address to everybody and his brother. And then we got an email from her, also addressed to about 250 people....and she didn't even bother to BCC (do people still do that anymore? I do). I was rather angry about it, although Rick didn't see what the big deal was. Oh and then she wanted a reply to her email, so about 100 people clicked on Reply to All. And there we were with all these emails coming in. Oh, and I know that many of those people also forwarded that email out to some of their friends who were in other classes of school. And they didn't bother to delete anything. To me, that's the epitome of stupidity, esp in today's world. I'm seriously considering changing our email address simply for that reason. (I suppose I could get a Hotmail address or something similar for him to give out to people.)

And then, one of my co-workers sent out a text to a bunch of people (also to me) which includes the phone numbers of a bunch of people here at work. Well, that set me off again. I asked him about it; he said that he figured everybody already had my cell phone number, so it didn't matter. Well, no. Nobody (other than he) has it. Why? Because I don't want people calling me on weekends because they walked by a house that was being remodeled and wondered if they had proper permits. And don't laugh; it's already happened now, because the guy now has my cell number (and obviously it couldn't wait until I got back to work on Monday). My weekends are my own; my days off belong to me. So now I'm thinking about changing my cell phone number, too. 

We have always had our main email account that Rick and I shared; it's always been that way and we've never thought a thing about it. He also has a Gmail account, as do I. He uses that one more for union business...I don't even use my Gmail account that often at all. I can get into his Gmail account (only if I have to) because when he goes away, if something comes that has to be printed out and then scanned or whatever, he'll call me at home to do it for him. He has my password to my account, too. 

Is it just me? Am I too private? Rick says I am and that he didn't think a thing of it when she asked him for the email address. Similarly, when I talked to my co-worker about putting my phone number out, he thought I was being too private.

Thoughts? 

I have a few different email addresses as well and have been more careful lately about which I use for certain things. Unfortunately, I do think they are right that it is impossible these days to keep cell phone , home phone and email addresses private.

I'm more concerned about keeping my home address private. I've managed to keep it mostly off the internet, but Aaron doesn't share my concerns, so if you google him, you can find me.

I have multiple email addresses used for different things, and our home phone number is unlisted. Our address isn't such a big deal because people have a horrible time finding our house. The house isn't physically located on "our" street, and even that has such screwy, i.e., nonsequential, numbers that it's a nightmare for delivery people and visitors.

Winchester said:

And then, one of my co-workers sent out a text to a bunch of people (also to me) which includes the phone numbers of a bunch of people here at work. Well, that set me off again. I asked him about it; he said that he figured everybody already had my cell phone number, so it didn't matter. Well, no. Nobody (other than he) has it. Why? Because I don't want people calling me on weekends because they walked by a house that was being remodeled and wondered if they had proper permits. And don't laugh; it's already happened now, because the guy now has my cell number (and obviously it couldn't wait until I got back 

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This has happened to my husband.  His company doesn't supply cell phones so he sometimes has to use his personal cell to contact someone (or wait who knows how long to have a dispatcher do it).  A few regulars he has given it to; but these are people who know calling him on the weekend won't do any good at least.  But others have gotten his number.  There is nothing he can do for them on the weekend.  He's gotten calls minutes after he got home in the evening.  

My mother DID have a company cell phone; back when we worked together.  She had to learn to turn it off because clients would call 24/7/365.  Somehow people got her home phone number as well.  Years after she left that job people would still call her home number and leave a message.  All people looking for something of course.  All they need is for my step-dad to answer.  He's very no nonsense. 

DH and I both have a couple e-mail addresses.  I only recently started giving out my cell to our doctor's offices and places like that. I've had this number for probably 15 years now and I still get the occasional sales call.  

No I don't think you are being unreasonable. I also have different emails for various things. my phone is unlisted but if people pay the $$ on those search sites then they can find me. I since disconnected it so it doesn't matter now.

I don't like giving out my info either. I have an account on facebook and tell people to contact me that way. I am almost always on facebook fighting for some cause or whatnot but Idon't give out my number as I HATE phone calls. I will put off answering phone calls.

I would see if you can change your phone number without having to get a new phone. That is so very rude. I often ask people if they want so and so to have their number before I give it out if a coworker is looking for someone. I usually just say I will relay the message.

Jon only has a phone and no email. he calls text messages email. I gave up explaining the difference with him. He often looks at things via search and doesn't realize that many search items come up on facebook and since I am logged on then he can see it. he doesn't understand the different sites.

I don't understand why someone would turn someone in for a permit. Then again I am a big proponent of mind thy own business and stop ticking people off but that is me.

I have several different email address also.  I use my real name only on Facebook but, my fiance does not.  He's extremely cautious about people finding him. 

I try hard not to give out too much info because my last name truly is one of a kind and it would be really easy to find me.

Having said that, I could be much better at keeping my privacy more intact.  I probably shouldn't post pix of my house for instance as it's also pretty different than many others.  But i like to share!

I couldn't agree with you more Pam. Yes of course your weekends are your own!!!!

I would not dream of sharing an email address with my husband. A friend of mine shares one with his wife & I think it's weird. I've never met her, but I can't have a convo with him without her chipping in.

No, I think you're being fairly reasonable. I bcc'd myself too. I have a iPhone and it was enambled for 'photo streaming' I never knew what that was so I just left it on. . .heads up people, anyone that is under the internet at your house can view your photos! :O Thankfully I am not the type that watches/saves anything weird to my phone or laptop (actually, scratch that I don't watch/save/look at anything weird anyways) but I still found it creepy how anyone could view my stuff.

Unfortunately, the USA goverment has the ability to view anyone's emails. So we're kinda screwed on privacy (not to mention the security cameras everywhere). But I certainly would not share my email address with anyone that can view my things under my permission. No way.

Bottom line is only YOU can decide to whom you give your email address or phone number. Nobody else has that right.

I don't think you are being too private. I won't let people take my picture without telling them, Do Not Post My Picture on Facebook. I have actually had to tell people to take my picture off their postings. It is rude when people do that.

I use a prepaid Tracfone and don't give out the number. I have two some junk email accounts I use. I have my own regular email and my husband has his. I don't give it out. I don't post it on the internet. With some of the available stuff on the internet, most peoples address could be found. Since computers, nothing is very private.

But, I don't give out other peoples phone numbers without asking them.

Interesting. The woman who had emailed us about a week ago got back to me last night; I had emailed her and requested that she remove our address from her list. She apologized. I guess she caught some serious flack from others about sending things out that way and she said that she's going to BCC from now on. I thanked her and told that I appreciated her doing that.