Mobile Provider Preferences

[zappaDPJ]

I have a SIM only, 1GB data contract with Sky @ £7 per month and a PAC code! They gave me notice of a change to their T&Cs regarding their use of my personal data which to put it mildly is outrageous.

So I'm looking for a similar package preferably with a rolling data plan on a robust network. I think Sky are on O2 which I've found to be pretty decent. Any suggestions?

[Simon]

I'm also on Sky and had notice of the privacy changes.  You can go into your account and switch it all off. 

I moved from O2 itself because WiFi Calling wasn't enabled on my account by default, and I wanted it switched on, but having spent nearly a week trying to contact them either by phone or on their Chat service where 'sorry, this service is unavailable' seemed to be the default setting, I gave up, requested my PAC code and went to Sky, saving myself around £14 per month in doing so.  WiFi calling was enabled by default, so that was also a result. 

Other than an issue with the address to which they sent my new SIM card (partly my fault for not checking), and a couple of Mobile Data outages, I've been with them for three years with no significant issues. 

[zappaDPJ]

You can go into your account and switch it all off.

You currently have no control over these particular changes until October. When I asked the customer services rep prior to requesting my PAC code if I would be able to opt out she said I would be able to opt out of targeted advertising but not the data sharing.

This is the full privacy policy that Sky are referring to in the email: https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-protect-privacy

I realise I could be accused of being paranoid but I'm having to change my passwords on an almost daily basis for some services like my Apple account because my details have been subjected to multiple data breaches.

Anyway, WiFi calling is a must for me, I didn't know that could be optional so it's useful information and something to check on when I find a new provider.

[Simon]

I wonder if usage or personal data is really any different with other companies - other than them not spelling it out in the way Sky have?

It bothers me to a degree, but as my data would be pretty mundane and boring, I don't lose sleep over it.

I'm sure there must be statutory security measures in place, so they're not stealing your passwords from your device and selling them on.

And I'm also sure that your device is listening to every word you say, which is how Facebook can deliver content and advertising based on your conversations.  Have a chat with someone about prostate cancer, or over 60s life insurance, for example, then see how many posts appear in your Facebook feed!  I think this mainly applies to Apple devices, but I don't think you can be private anywhere, unless you don't have an Internet connection.

[zappaDPJ]

I wonder if usage or personal data is really any different with other companies - other than them not spelling it out in the way Sky have?

It bothers me to a degree, but as my data would be pretty mundane and boring, I don't lose sleep over it.

I'm sure there must be statutory security measures in place, so they're not stealing your passwords from your device and selling them on.

That's not something which particularly worries me. It's about minimising the risk of having my data stolen by limiting the number of places where it's stored.

I've always used 12-16 digit random passwords everywhere which diminishes the risks when databases do get hacked. However to give just one example of how damaging it can be, when vBulletin got hacked in November 2015, the breach included the name, address, telephone number, date of birth, email address, personal website URL, login details and security Q&A for every customer including me.

I cannot even begin to quantify the resulting payload which included letters through the post trying to get me to pay for the domains that I own, many thousands of spam/phishing emails, hundreds of scammers calling on the landline we ditched and probably other things I don't even know about.

To be honest those problems are minor compared to when I get locked out of accounts because someone is trying to brute force a password from the stolen data which seems to be happening on a very regular basis right now and that's the consequence of just one data breach.

https://haveibeenpwned.com/ now tells me I've been subjected to 11 data breaches, 4 of which are sites I've never signed up to which makes me wonder how someone can sign up to a supposedly reputable site using my email

[zappaDPJ]

Oh I meant to say, coincidentally my daughter switched from Sky mobile to O2 today after reading the same email which had nothing to do with but it seems I've trained her well! Anyway she said the process was a nightmare even though you can do it all online and get a 'virtual sim'?

Apparently she spent hours on the phone to O2 trying to make the switch so I think I'll give them a miss.

[Simon]

I've just checked a few of mine.  The latest data breech was in 2008, and I would certainly have changed my passwords since then.  Surprisingly, the one email address which I thought would have been had, is the one attached to Facebook and several forums, and that one appears to be clear!

[Simon]

Oh I meant to say, coincidentally my daughter switched from Sky mobile to O2 today after reading the same email which had nothing to do with but it seems I've trained her well! Anyway she said the process was a nightmare even though you can do it all online and get a 'virtual sim'?

Apparently she spent hours on the phone to O2 trying to make the switch so I think I'll give them a miss.

I'd never go with O2 as a provider again.  I believe Tesco Mobile uses their network so maybe it'd be worth giving them a look?

[nowster]

EE has very good coverage (being the one chosen for the Emergency Services Network) but dealing with them directly is very pricy.

Smarty (a Three reseller) is OK but their data speed and coverage may not be the best. They do offer WiFi calling, EU roaming and 5G (where available) as standard.

If you want to use O2's network, then Giff-Gaff is their equivalent economy label.

[zappaDPJ]

Thanks, it's useful info

I'd like to stay on O2 because I know their network has good coverage except in Canterbury, the entire city being a mobile dead spot for everyone it seems.

Giff-Gaff on O2 offers more for slightly less on a monthly rolling plan so that's looking good.

[zappaDPJ]

It bothers me to a degree, but as my data would be pretty mundane and boring, I don't lose sleep over it.

Just to emphasise how dangerous these data breaches can be, this morning I got one of those 'I know what you've been doing and videoed you doing it via your webcam' etc. emails only this time they included my real name and old address along with other details.

I know categorically those details came from the vBulletin breach plus I'm generally too busy to visit THAT kind of website but what about all the other customers on vBulletin's list. Given the right circumstances an email of that nature could easily cause someone a little less clued up to do something stupid.

I'll admit it rattled my cage for a few seconds until I worked out the origin of the data

[Simon]

I get those emails as well.  I think I was on a vBulletin site for a while, but I can't remember which one it was.

I also have a feeling some eBay sellers are less than scrupulous with customers data, as I often seem to get a string of spam emails when I buy something off eBay.

[zappaDPJ]

I get those emails as well.  I think I was on a vBulletin site for a while, but I can't remember which one it was.

My compromised data comes from vBulletin's official support site but that's effectively the same software used by all sites running vBulletin software.

I was actually on vBulletin's support site when the hack happened, I was also there when they got the site back up, initiated a change of password for all members but left the vulnerability unpatched so it went down again giving the hacker access to all the accounts that had changed their passwords I went to some lengths to try and warn them but they were in total denial.

I obtained a copy of their database and sent a redacted screenshot of a small part of it to a number of tech related news outlets but to this day I don't think they have ever acknowledged what occurred or the true extent of the damage they caused.

I do know that after hacking vBulletin the hacker went straight on to hack Foxit Software another vBulletin customer. I'm not sure how many other sites were compromised after that but I still see some forums running on the same unpatched version of vBulletin.

[Simon]

@zappaDPJ - Did you make a decision on changing providers?  I had an email from Sky this morning, saying my current £7 per month plan was increasing to £9 per month, but I could choose to 'downgrade' to the exact same plan for £6 per month!  As it was a bit of a no brainer, I logged into the MySky app and changed it with a couple of clicks. 

[zappaDPJ]

I've still got a valid PAC. I've been weighing up the options and GiffGaff is currently at the top of my list. I'm definitely moving away from Sky.

[Clive]

I'm on o2 but I've also heard good things about Giff-Gaff.  I'm locked in for another year so I have to bide my time. 

[zappaDPJ]

A couple of days later and I'm with giffgaff. The switch over and number port was completely painless as was the PIN change requirement on the answering service. So far, so good

[Clive]

That's great news Zap.  I will follow  you in a year's time. 

[peasblossom]

Just seen this and would've recommended Smarty. Unlimited texts and call plus 4GB (now 6GB think) for £6 a month on a rolling basis. They promise no mid contract price rises and they've been true to that. The only downside is that you can't yet reply or text to short numbers like those used for donating money, for example. They're part of Three, but much better value, imo.

[nowster]

There have been reports that Lyca Mobile (virtual on the EE network) have had a tussle with the Tax Man which led to HMRC (erroneously) applying for them to be struck off the register of companies.

[robinc]

In this neck of the woods EE/BT provides the best overall coverage, I've been using 1p Mobile which is an EE MVNO for some years now. It provides all we need including 4G/WiFi calling (which many MVNOs do not do). Paying £5 mnth for calls and text plus 1G data. It's a fancy PAYG setup, automatic top-up if you run low etc etc. Having used EE and then BT prior to this I cannot tell the difference in quality and it only costs £60 a year. When we switched BT were heading for about £18/mnth!!