Comment by ranger_danger
2 years ago
IMO The problem with data breaches is not the phone number being exposed, it's the other data around it that one can combine with other breaches to make full profiles of a person's comings and goings, their location/purchase history, their associations and preferences, etc.
This is very valuable data to have, not only for advertisers, but also criminals and other bad actors.
Also, the fact that nobody ever questions the authenticity of leaked data should be VERY alarming. Imagine what power someone can hold over someone with manipulated leak data.
Doesn’t even have to be manipulated just incorrect. I share a rather uncommon name with at least two others within five years of my age. I get emails intended for either of them almost daily. One holds political views completely opposite my own. The other is rebuilding his life after a couple years in prison.
I would rather not have my own life intertwined with either of them but undoubtedly it already is to some degree.