Deconstructing the Ako Mismo Privacy Policy
May 05
A lot of bloggers have been talking about the implications of the Ako Mismo Campaign which is being funded by the PLDT-SMART Foundation. Accusations have already been hurled left and right against it but it looks like it’s still growing. As of this writing, they’ve already reached more than 40,000 registrations. I went through most of the pages in the site and I found a lot of hints and clues in their Privacy Page about the motives behind campaign. Details after the break.
I’ve split up and analyzed their Privacy Policy into smaller segments.
What information does AKO MISMO collect?
Normal website usage
The only information we gather during general browsing is from standard server logs. These include your IP (Internet Protocol) address, domain name, browser type, operating system, and information such as the web site that referred you to us, the files you downloaded, the pages you visit, and the dates/times of those visits and non-monetary pledges for causes you wish to pursue.
Author’s Note: Took out this section after a clarification from one of the readers. marhgil left a comment explaining this more in detail. Here’s his comment: that’s too much of a conclusion. If you read the terms carefully, they only track the referrer sites, the pages you visit and files you download as recorded on their standard server logs. server logs does that all the time. however, they cannot track the sites you visit and files you download on other websites, this is impossible, unless they installed some tracking script on your computer or installed a toolbar (like Alexa) after signing up with them. In a nutshell, they still record the data but only to a limited extent.
AKO MISMO MAY use the personal information you provide to:
• Contact you – either in response to a query or suggestion, or to mail newsletters, documents, publications, etc.
• “Remember” your online profile and preferences;
• Help you quickly find information that is relevant to you based on your interests, and help us create site contents most relevant to you;
• Undertake statistical analysis.
By giving your contact details, you are giving them the power to spam your inbox – mobile or e-mail. Even if they said in their rules that they won’t sell the database, nothing is stopping them from taking payments from advertisers and sending e-mail or SMS blasts of their own to you. Yes, they cannot give your personal information away, but they have the capability to milk it for all its worth from potential advertisers.
What if I don’t want to provide personal information?
Providing personal information on the AKO MISMO web site is optional. If you choose not to provide personal information, you can still browse and use the AKO MISMO site, but you will not be able to carry out certain actions.Opting out and changing your information
You may cancel or modify your information anytime you wish by returning to the web page where you first provided the information and contacting the focal point for that page.
Now this is really insane. You can literally do nothing but stare at the home page if you don’t provide your personal information. I tried signing up without giving the phone number and the e-mail address but I wasn’t able to proceed with the registration and the pledge. As for opting out, what does “contacting the focal point for that page” mean? Do I have to call someone up or send an e-mail?
Security
AKO MISMO does not sell or share any personally identifiable information volunteered to on the site to any third party without prior consent. Any information provided to AKO MISMO by users of the site is held with the utmost care and security, and will not be used in ways other than as set forth in this privacy policy, or in any site-specific policies, or in ways to which you have explicitly consented. AKO MISMO employs a range of techniques and security measures to protect the information maintained on our system from loss, misuse, unauthorised access or disclosure, alteration, or destruction.However, AKO MISMO assumes no responsibility for the security of information.
AKO MISMO shall not be liable under any circumstances for damages resulting from the loss, misuse, unauthorized use, disclosure, alteration or destruction of information collected from visitors to the site.
They’re saying that they have tons of security measures in place that will make sure it won’t get leaked. However, in the event that it does, they will not be held liable for any damages.
CONCLUSION
In a nutshell, it’s a database building tool that will enable the PLDT-SMART Foundation to profile users that sign up in the guise of nationalism and patriotism. They invested a lot in the talents used for the commercial so they must have a plan on how to get back their investment.
As a suggestion, I hope they consider revealing their real future plans and motives for this. The longer they keep quiet, the more skeptical and cynical their critics will be. If this is truly a genuine movement for change, then they should start on a solid platform of integrity and transparency. If these questions are answered and put to rest, I won’t hesitate in really campaigning for this because I believe in the message that change has to start with the individual.
If you do not want to share your personal information and browsing preferences, don’t sign-up. However, if you really believe in the campaign and you’re okay with giving away all the information specified in the Privacy Policy, then go right ahead and do so.
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I think they’re just using standard Terms of Use lingo.
If not for the seemingly truly altruistic purpose of the site, then sponsored by a mammoth corporation, during election year, this will not have raised this much controversy.
What the movement lacks is enough transparency thru public relations, apart from their use of good advertising. They need a spokesperson. Now.
Time for Ako Mismo to come out in the open and be candid about their intentions.
@Lawrence: I think the terms they’re using is different, especially on the part where they save the information on what sites you visit and what files you download. Agree with you on the point though that they really need a spokesperson and they should reveal their intentions. Sayang yung movement eh. If this is genuine then I really wouldn’t hesitate to throw all my support behind it.
The most glaring details that they can get is the list of websites that you visit and the files that you download. If you have a static IP address and if you provide your personal details, then you’re literally having someone spy on you each time you go online. They can tag your name with your IP and check out all the websites you visit and the files that you download.
that’s too much of a conclusion. If you read the terms carefully, they only track the referrer sites, the pages you visit and files you download as recorded on their standard server logs. server logs does that all the time.
however, they cannot track the sites you visit and files you download on other websites, this is impossible, unless they installed some tracking script on your computer or installed a toolbar (like Alexa) after signing up with them.
@marhgil: I hope that’s the case. Will edit the entry to show your comment as well. Thanks for pointing that out.
Most Filipinos aren’t really big on privacy issues, that they just jump off and give the information needed without taking caution or really asking what it is for. I doubt if even a quarter of those who signed up took time to read the Privacy Page.
I haven’t signed up yet, since like you, I still have doubts about the so called movement. And in one way or another, I think this might just be another “study” used by these traditional politicians to fuel their interests.
I do agree that change should come from within, however, if this is backed by trapos, i don’t think it would really live up to its goals…
If its really a genuine thing, then they shouldn’t keep us in the dark.
Tracking websites you visit (actually, just where you came from when entering their site), files you download (in the site), IP address — these are all standard information that’s tracked using Google Analytics. It can be tracked on any website you visit, and can be linked to your personal information if it’s a log-in site, like Facebook and Multiply.
The rest of the terms of use is legalese to protect them from future lawsuits.
I really think this is a case of the creators not being able to cover all bases. But it’s still worth some caution. As long as there’s a clear opt-out, then I won’t be afraid. Most of us are not that protective of our personal information online anyway to begin with. Google has much more of our personal information. If we’re scared of privacy, we should go against Google first. Any hand-raisers? hehehe
the philippines is free world country let us take care of it and not let the communist took power it will be a shatered dream for our nation
down the activsist kill the communist
rise the democracy
hmm.. i guess let’s give them a chance..
i guess if you’re working in an advertising agency or the likes of it.. you would understand where this is coming from.. “campaigns” so called “initiatives..
give them the benefit of the doubt, i don’t think there is any “political” thing or “sponsors” thing.. it’s just a campaign, sort of an “I am Ninoy” thing..
aww buti nga naaus na kc before noong nagbrowse ako dun you need to login or register muna before maopen yun FAQ and Privacy Policy page
tama ngang sa atin magmula ang mga pagbabago saludo ako sa mga taong tapat saprinsipyo
count me on
how to become a member of Ako Mismo and when???thanks.
plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
count me OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
paano po maging member na AKO MISMO
how can i be a member of ako mismo???
Where ca we buy genuine or original ‘Ako Mismo’ dog tags?
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i am just a concern citizen. . .i dont know how to register & b a member of the said organization. . . m frm region 2…query lang po saan po ba pwede ireport tungkol sa isang partido ngdidistrbute ng tig one thousand bawat botante..