I take my privacy very seriously.  Anyone who knows me or who has read anything I’ve ever written, knows that I do not give out personal information very easily.  Although I embrace many modern technologies, I also make attempts to conceal personal data from being freely available.  So, I was quite taken aback the other day when I went to Best Buy to exchange a few videos and discovered that Best Buy has access to my DMV record.

Now, I’m not too sure how much access they have to the DMV records, but, what little they did have, made me nervous.  As I approached Best Buy’s customer service counter, I explained that I needed to exchange a few movies, mainly because I was given full-screen versions and I wanted wide-screen.  Not a problem.

The cashier ran the DVDs through and then asked for ID.  Though I hate giving out my driver’s license for such silly things as replacing a full-screen DVD for a wide-screen one, the only other option is to go buy a second copy.  I understand that they need to make sure people aren’t scamming the system and that I will now be in Best Buy’s database for the movies I exchanged.

The problem I had was that I watched the cashier type my driver’s license number into her register and, instantly, my name and address popped up on the screen.  The cashier asked me to verify that the information was correct.  Stunned, I looked at the screen and ticked the “accept” box.

Now, I have never exchanged anything at Best Buy before and I always pay with cash when I do visit the store.  So, how is it possible that typing in my driver’s license number brings up my name and address if they do not have access to the DMV?

I didn’t bother asking anyone.  I’ve been here before.  They either lie, make up a reason, or claim that I’m lying and gave them my information before.  The truth is, they probably don’t know the truth and are just trying to make themselves look good.

Needless to say, I’m a bit upset about this.  I’m not sure what to do, other than write to my idiot Congress critters, who are too busy planning their presidential campaigns to answer my mail anyway.  I do know that I am quite leery about returning to Best Buy again, especially to do an exchange.

This is also part of a bigger problem.  I consider myself quite aware of the many ways that the government and corporations have been conducting themselves in the matter of American citizens privacy.  But, somehow, this one seemed to have slipped by me.

One the one hand, I want to think that this is not big deal as I don’t really care if Best Buy knows the movies I like to watch.  But, on the other hand, why do they need to know this?  The most nefarious thing Best Buy is likely to do is try to sell me more stuff in a particular genre that I like.  But what if this data is compromised?  They now have my basic DMV information and the types of movies I like.  This could, one day, be used against me even though I have done nothing wrong.  I enjoy books and movies, particularly on dystopian societies.  How long before Best Buy’s information on me is sent to a federal database where they determine that I am some sort of threat?

No, I’m not a threat to anyone or anything but I can see the end of the line on this topic.  We’re already giving away far too much private information, willingly, online.  I’ve been trying to fight against this but, some days, it seems like a lost cause.

Today, I feel like I’ve fallen into a cleverly devised honey trap.  I didn’t want to give away my information but felt trapped, cornered, and forced to do so.  I want to be the one that gives up my personal information for the world to see.  I do not want the government to decide what information about me they are going to release in an attempt to “protect” me.  I’m just not sure I have a choice anymore.