Blu-ray Update Sent To User Via Credit Card Records 526
wmoyes writes "Back in September I ran into a Best Buy store to buy a Samsung BD-P2550 Blu-ray player. I didn't give the clerk my name, telephone number, or address, just my debit card. The player has sat happily in my living room without ever being networked or registered. Today I was shocked to find a package waiting for me at home from Best Buy — inside was a firmware update CD for the player. I used to think Windows Update was scary, but Samsung's update service tracked me to my house using the mag stripe from my bank card. Has this happened to any other Blu-ray owners?" Or is there a simpler explanation?
Do you see the black car parked outside? (Score:5, Funny)
He then runs to the forest to find out what updates you might need.
Don't talk to him, it sounds like he's talking backwards.
We know where you are. (Score:4, Funny)
It wasn't from your debit card (Score:4, Funny)
The blueray player used the nearest WiFi access point (it can hack into secured ones). It sent its GPS position, which was cross referenced to your address at the server. It has also been sending information about all the discs you have put in it, whether you played them or not. You haven't put any pirate stuff in there, have you?
In addition, on the HDMI back channel it has been gathering information about what you watch on TV, and reporting that as well. The company sells this information to Nielson.
And you wondered why that player was so expensive.
Re:Cash (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Cash (Score:5, Funny)
You should switch to Liberty Dollar's (http://www.libertydollar.org/) to show your contempt for the government as well.
Re:Don't panic. (Score:5, Funny)
Not really. What if that player had a tendency to explode after 25 hours of use. Would you want to be notified of the recall?
Basic customer data mining has been around for ages. Pretty much ever since Mr. Drucker asked after your health and crop prospects in the general store.
Or pillow talk after the very first prostitution transaction...depends how far back you want to go.
Note, I'm not defending intrusive data mining.
These updates are scary! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Customer information sharing (Score:4, Funny)
Even without credit card part, this story is quite interesting. There are annoying DRM systems. There are pain-in-the-ass DRM systems. But then, miles above all this, there is that ultimate sometimes-go-to-the-shop-and-take-firmware-update-CD-and-unbrick-your-player-again DRM that almost renders any owner of such device as total moron.
Re:Cash (Score:5, Funny)
Let me guess, Ron Paul supporter?
Re:Do you see the black car parked outside? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Customer information sharing (Score:1, Funny)
Wow... I wish it were Al Franklin instead!
Re:Cash (Score:5, Funny)
The best part is, it never expires!
And it can be exchanged for items not available with other gift cards, like recreational drugs and sex with prostitutes.
Re:Customer information sharing (Score:3, Funny)
... congressional action.
Oxymoron.
Re:Customer information sharing (Score:5, Funny)
Oxymoron.
That's not true. Congress does act. All the time. On really important stuff [time.com].
Re:These updates are scary! (Score:5, Funny)
I just really wish they wouldn't spraypaint swastikas on my furniture.
That rug really tied the room together.....
Re:Get them to write down the refusal (Score:3, Funny)
I did one better. The next time I went there I used pay-at-the-pump and filled my car in $0.50 increments. It didn't cost me anything extra and I'm sure it screwed them over in credit card fees ;) That was a really amusing credit card statement to look at too.......
Re:Customer information sharing (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Do you see the black car parked outside? (Score:3, Funny)
.ria eht ni cisum syawla s'ereht dna ,gnos ytterp a gnis sdrib eht .kcab dneb smra ym semitemos tub ,reh wonk i ekil leef i
Re:Cash (Score:3, Funny)
This is why I use federal reserve notes for everything I can. I bought my Wii with federal reserve notes. I bought my PS3 with federal reserve notes.
--
End The Fed [endthefed.us]
But then you don't get rewards points!
Re:Prior use? (Score:3, Funny)
At Circuit City once they asked for my phone number. I asked why they needed it. The clerk said it was to tell where their customers were from. I said I'd give my ZIP code, which is more accurate what with number portability and all. She said they couldn't do that and it'd have to be my phone number. I told her I didn't have a phone and asked if I should go elsewhere to make my purchase. She looked down at the cell phone clipped to my belt, sighed, and completed the sale.
BTW, I wasn't lying. It was a company phone, for a company in a completely different town than where I lived anyway. The number was issued to a different branch in a third city, IIRC. My ZIP code would have been much better for their stated purpose.
Re:Customer information sharing (Score:3, Funny)
It's one option that the card had something to do with it. Subby has written it that way because that is what HE thinks happened.
It could have been his mom finding the warranty card on the table trying to help the little scatterbrain out. People who don't fill out those cards, so the fact that it is missing means nothing.
He could be a damn drunk, and did it online or physically while on a bender.
The NetFlix coupon code he used (that came in the player box) could be tied to an agreement between NetFlix and Samsung. And, now he's forgotten where it came from and obviously, they would need the address at NetFlix.
There are lots and lots of ways it could have happened that the subby isn't thinking of.
COME ON, the most simple explanation is the guy is an idiot. Not that the Blu-Ray player has a mind of it's own and a GPS RFID enabled chip in it.
Aside from using the Slashdot hive mind to look for other cases, this story is completely stupid. If I want rampant raging speculation on crap, I'll go back to Fark.
The guy should be thankful Samsung gives a shit enough about their customers to bother with an update. Most manufacturers would have waited for him to get frustrated enough to look it up online or just expected him to put up with a bug in the player for it's entire lifetime.
Re:you know who your customers are (Score:3, Funny)
I don't understand. I have a PO box, too, but the post office delivers my mail to mine. Is it different for you?
Re:Customer information sharing (Score:3, Funny)
Bestbuy doesn't ask for your address during returns/exchanges at least they didn't for me yesterday.
That's because they already have you on file. Nice to know, huh?
Re:Customer information sharing (Score:4, Funny)
Getting around that security problem is easy. Just don't show your driver's license to people with eyeballs.
Re:Customer information sharing (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Customer information sharing (Score:4, Funny)
Wow. That's pretty sad.