• Boring@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    I created an account while in the store with an email of [email protected] and a basic password and surprisingly didn’t have to verify the email. Then turned on a VPN to my house.

    I plan on just creating a new account every time I go in just to fill up their database with nonsense.

    • geekworking@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      You do realize that they are actually tracking the device itself by the hardware MAC address and other device fingerprints.

      The email is just a bonus to let them legally spam you. Anti-spam laws have an exemption. If there’s a prior business relationship like shopping in their stores, they can put you on their spam list unless you opt out.

      Bogus email only helps for spam but doesn’t do anything about tracking.

      EDIT: For Android when there’s a Captive Portal like the screen shot. devices will use Persistent randomization which while not the hardware MAC will remain the same for the same network where they can track your visits.

      • Boring@lemmy.ml
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        1 year ago

        GrapheneOS let’s me do a per-connection randomized MAC.

        I’m sure they do collect a lot more about my device, but there’s not much I can do about it short of wrapping my phone in tin foil.

        • Midnight Wolf@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Don’t forget to disable wifi and bluetooth before approaching the store, as those give off unique identifiers too.

    • Zastyion345@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      Don’t forget to spoof your MAC address so they cant see who is making the fake accounts ;D

  • Zerush@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    In the EU they already had a complaint, because it violates GDPR, but in any case I would never use a public WiFi without a VPN, and even less in places with these conditions, there is also free WiFi in some Rstaurants (even in most McDonalds), public Libraries and others. Fuck surveillance advertising

  • XTornado@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    Not sure about this Walmart case but most you can write any email like random letters [email protected] or not even the Gmail part as long as it’s a valid looking mail and then works like you don’t even have to confirm the email or anything.

    • Pika@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      this is incorrect for the walmart case, next step is the password for the account, so you need to login or create a Walmart account for access

      • XTornado@lemmy.ml
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        1 year ago

        Oh yeah I see I mis read the prompt, I thought it was going with a enter you mail as alternative to using an account.

  • SeaJ@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    You do realize they were almost certainly doing this before, right?

  • airikr@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    I am so happy to live in Sweden. All open WiFi networks here are free to use and requires no email or account (VPN recommended as always, though). Even at grocery stores.

  • 8tomat8@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I always give some bs emails in those authentication forms. Mainly because as a client who tries to connect, I do not have internet access, so I cannot verify my email before they give me the access. And when they gave me access, there is no power in the world to make me do that 🤷

  • merthyr1831@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Sometimes these login portals accept any old bogus email or burner account. They were logging your IP anyway so realistically doesnt add any more compromised dafa

    • Alien Nathan Edward@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      I’m gonna assume that by IP you mean MAC address because your IP is something that gets negotiated with the AP when you connect, changes every time you connect and can’t really be linked back to your device at a public AP. In that case, the right move is to enable MAC randomization and connect through a VPN if you need to hide who you’re talking to or just rely on TLS if you don’t care that they know who you’re talking to and only need to hide what was said.

  • Rukmer@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I’ve never agreed to this, but I might be on Walmart Wi-Fi from a long time ago. Once recently shopping at Walmart in person I got an email to my account saying something really creepy like, “rate your in store purchases” and sent me pictures of each item I bought IN STORE with an invitation to rate each. Also included my real name. This isn’t even the email I use for my online pickup orders.

    • test113@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Don’t all stores do this, particularly those with membership cards? Isn’t one of the main reasons for these cards to track your purchases in exchange for discounts, besides fostering loyalty? All major stores in my area operate like this. If you use scan-and-pay with a smartphone or another device, joining their membership program is mandatory. They monitor what, when, and where you buy, and sometimes even why. I don’t understand why this surprises some people.

      • Rukmer@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Walmart is not a membership store. I never scanned a membership card, or put in any code or anything. I walked in with my child, browsed around a little bit, ended up purchasing a water gun and some potted flowers, paid at the self-scan, and walked out. I did use a debit card, but that card shouldn’t even be connected with the old account that I got an email for, as the card is years newer than the account.

        • test113@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Oh, sorry, I misunderstood. My bad. I thought the outrage was about them collecting data, which is normal. ; but that’s very strange. How did they connect your purchase/receipt to your email? Have you found out yet?

  • sir_reginald@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Try luck with throwaway email + VPN. Although it’s possible they’ll still be able to identity you if you’re the only one using that VPN on your local Walmart. At least they won’t be able to see your traffic.

  • glob@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    Please, think about the improved products and services before making any rash decisions.