Yesterday, at @naivas_kenya I figured out how easy it is for bad people to get a hold of personal details. Its scary. I actually practically picked someone's identity and got to know a hell of a lot about them - all within 10 minutes! Let me tell you how...
I was standing next to this lady at @naivas_kenya ion Westlands. She had to give out her number to the cashier... "0722... 000... 000" (not exactly obviously). It was an easy number to remember so I memorised it and typed it into my Truecaller and voila! I know her name & email!
So then I google her. From her Facebook account, I know she went to Precious Blood Kilungu, I know her birthday, that she lives/lived in Ruaka, from her twitter her middle name and that she is in a relationship with "Sam" (not his real name)
From her instagram I gather she loves the @SafaricomPLC Jazz Festival, find out who her closest friends are, and the places she likes to go hang out in the evening and from her Linkedin I have her CV - she is in the hotel industry and I know where she works.
I know she went to Strathmore after Precious Blood, that she is a CPA... All this information, I found while I was standing next to her at the supermarket on my phone(!!!) Now you tell me, if I was a bad person, what could I have done with her information?
I think we need to pay attention to how our private info is passed around in some of these places - @naivas_kenya or @TuskysOfficial if I pay by @SafaricomPLC's MPESA I have to tell them my number in full hearing of everyone.
If I need @naivas_kenya or @TuskysOfficial to deliver something to my house, I draw a map to my house, and write my phone number on a piece of paper (and I never see it again) - Based on actual event. when depositing at an MPESA place, I have to say my number out loud (!) - Shida
How scary is this story for you?
I don't know what the solutions are but I tag @SafaricomPLC, @naivas_kenya and @TuskysOfficial and ask that AT LEAST they think about it aggressively. Meanwhile, my Lipa na MPESA habits are going to be thoroughly reviewed.
