Become James Smith
I read an amazing article a while ago, however available only in Slovak language. Unfortunately, I don't know who the author is (to give credit to, at least here’s the original article), but he/she just nailed it. It makes no sense to re-invent the wheel and it's so simple and good that I think everyone should be able to read it and understand it. So here is the English version with some tweaks to make it relevant to international audiences.
Hello, my name is James Smith!
You too? What a coincidence!
I became James Smith since I realized the value of my privacy.
Every purchase we make is monitored. That's not a conspiracy theory, it's a bare fact. The government systems collects information about the purchasing behavior of all consumers to whom the merchant issues a receipt. Information about specific products is sent to the financial administration system. Do you buy any particular medicine at the pharmacy? The tax administration knows about it.
Payment systems are no better. Card payments link your identity to your purchasing behavior everywhere. Where you fill up your tank, where you buy content online, ...
We all carry a tracking device called a mobile phone in our pocket. And our mobile operator knows where we are, who we're calling and texting.
Data leaks happen routinely - including sensitive health data. The eKasa shopping database (government tracking in Slovakia), for example, is accessible from the internet. Leaks of these databases will allow this information to be linked.
The biggest risk comes with linking this information. And to compound the situation - we share our location and habits on social media.
Fortunately, we live in a democracy and these databases should not be used against us. All it takes is for some psychopath to become Prime Minister (and that is not so inconceivable) and he has all the historical customer data accessible.
# You too can become James Smith!
We often use the name we have on our ID. But rarely is it necessary. No one really needs billing information when ordering on the internet. They won't send any letters to the address given, nor will they come to see us. But this data may leak from the database. Can any tiny e-commerce shop protect their data? Why, because we have GDPR?
James is one of the most common English first names. Smith is one of the most common English last-names. James Smith is a name you will get lost in the crowd with.
# How does James Smith shop?
When ordering online, James Smith simply fills out the billing information for his new identity. There's nothing wrong with that, you pay for the order normally. You can do this either by cash on delivery or by using anonymous cryptocurrencies with plenty of services available these days.
# How does James Smith receive shipments?
James Smith does not use national post. Why? Postmen more often deliver slips than parcels. They often require ID cards. James Smith uses private couriers, such as Packeta or delivery pick-up boxes/locations, for example. A courier can be sent to a street corner, he almost never wants ID. In case of pick-up boxes/locations you just need a PIN to unlock the box and take your package.
# How does James Smith communicate?
James Smith does not usually use a phone number. If he is expecting a shipment to a pick-up point(box), his PIN will arrive by email, so he just needs to enter a random phone number.
James Smith certainly does not use a main phone number that is tied to identity. If he urgently needs a phone number, he buys an anonymous prepaid SIM or eSIM card. With a courier, it is possible to use the aforementioned sim or esim card or have a voip service.
James Smith creates the e-mail he wants on free-mail services and uses it to communicate with shops.
# How does James Smith make warranty claim?
Normally, as if he were not James Smith. There is no ID check for warranty repairs.
# What should I not do as James Smith?
Don't tell officials and police officers that his name is different from what it says on his ID. Don’t try to deceive someone who gives a loan or a credit line. Do nothing wrong.
# Who is James Smith?
James Smith is a good man and he is not hurting anyone.
James Smith helps companies protect personal information. Especially by not burdening them with his personal data that should be protected.
# Welcome to the club!
Any of you can be James Smith. It could be your partner and roommate. If you are female you might want to be Mary Smith. Either way, welcome to the club. We don't hand out membership cards and we don't do club meetings. We are a silent conspiracy of privacy and personal data protectors. We are together, but every man for himself.