Nothing makes me go from zero to raving asshole faster than junk mail, telemarketing calls, or invasions of my privacy.
So as a public service today, I share this link to a fantastic article in the New York Times, which rounds up some of the easiest ways to remove all that annoying bullshit from your life, while protecting your privacy as well: Don’t Call. Don’t Write. Let Me Be. - New York Times
The popularity of the do-not-call list unleashed a demand for other opt-out lists. A consumer can now opt out of the standard practice of their banks or loan companies selling their information to others. Other opt-outs stop credit card companies from soliciting consumers or end the flow of junk mail and catalogs. While most of the opt-outs are intended to make life less annoying, they can also have the side effect of protecting personal information that can be misused by identity thieves or unscrupulous merchants.
I'm really fed up with companies I'm forced to interact with (credit card, bank, insurance, etc.) putting the burden to leave me the fuck alone or protect my family's privacy on me, (the defaul option on all of these things should be "No. Leave me alone. Go away. Don't sell, rent, share, or otherwise do anything with my information that would put it into the hands of another person or company, ever." instead of "Please spam the everlivingshit out of me, unless I tell you not to and even then you can keep doing it for three months.") but at least there are ways to get most of these annoyances cleared up.
(via lifehacker)
