TransUnion says hackers stole 4.4M customers' personal information

When it comes to disclosing hacks, standard practice is to disclose a limited hack first, then when the hoopla dies down, disclose that the hack was "worse than previously thought".

See: https://circles.page/5680a56b5c28af0998656e09/Hacks-worse-th...

This type of thing seems almost like a non-event these days, I initially passed on this HN topic before going back and upvoting, and then writing this :-/

Such are the times we live in.

If I have kids, is there anyway to prevent this from happening to them while still living a somewhat normal life (not secluded in the woods, although with survey flights (airplanes taking routine, detailed, arial pictures of large areas) and satellites, that may not be enough anymore)?

I assume even to get them on your insurance, the insurance company will make handing over their Social Security Number a non-negotiable.

We've moved past worrying about purchase data or location history. The real issue is the silent, constant ingestion of ambient data like License Plate Readers, Facial recognition and other biometrics voice, fingerprints . Even when you go to target or walmart, Exposed Cloud Backups and Private Messages. Just you driving to buy a potato, you have dozens of data points collected about you.

Every generation is already used to a degree of data collection so it's normal until it becomes overwhelming.

Incoming "We're offering our free premium credit monitoring service (normally $39.95/mo) to individuals affected by this for 12 months. You will need to enter a credit card to subscribe, but you will not be billed!"

(until the 12 months hits, and you'll be silently converted to a paying customer...)

What can we do to keep these companies accountable? This is so frustrating.

Only customers? Or does it include data subjects?