Tuesday, July 17, 2018

USPS Informed Delivery - Email and User Name Please

usps.com/intheknow

https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action?iom=B807-82ID-USRS-PS-USP-GO-XXX-AW-XX-X-INF&utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_content=b807_82id&utm_campaign=informeddelivery2018&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhKy137-m3AIVxFx-Ch2sVQbmEAAYASAAEgItkPD_BwE&dclid=CPSi1uO_ptwCFQo-fwode4MHRA

"Millions of people know what is coming in their mailbox before it arrives.  You should too."


Amazing but not surprising.

USPS has been collecting and storing, probably giving to another entity to store, addressee and return addresses on mail for a long time.  They collect email addresses for notification/tracing mail for special categories.

The system is already in place to connect mail addresses and addresses as well as relate email addresses to mailing addresses.  With a web page access and a simple App we can all see our own personal mail coming to us the same way USPS sees and records it.

Amazing but not surprising.  It is the last step in connecting mailing addresses to email addresses.  Maybe not the last step?  Another step coming?  The last step will be when a unique email address relates to a unique government ID and an email address is required to sent/receive mail.

Private parcel delivery business require an email address and a user ID and password.

That is the standard way of doing business.

An individual can't do business without it but could opt out.

The final step is no opt out by default.  Opt out and an individual cannot even do business with its own government.

(User) Name and (Digital ID) Papers please.

Some state drivers licenses are now digital.
https://www.gemalto.com/govt/traffic/digital-driver-license
It is so easy and convenient for you (and us) to be in the know.  Tell us all about yourself, please.

There are some fundamental personal data associations.  Physical address is a big one. Email address is another.  Connecting with a stored database containing the two data elements creates vital personal information.

This is explains the marketing benefit.
Slick marketing!
https://youtu.be/BNYEaXSZRuw

Since 2014:
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2017/10/usps-informed-delivery-is-stalkers-dream/
A surveillance dream too.

What I see in this for me:  A fantastic opportunity for "do not mail"!  I can see the mail coming and I can "delete it" by interception that directs the USPS not to deliver but to dispose in a real, not a digital trash can!

Might be worth something to me in exchange for giving up personal information.





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