The Old New Thing

Reading the fine print - The Old New Thing

How many servings are there in a single-serve cup? The answer might surprise you

February 19, 2010 Feb 19, 2010 02/19/10
Raymond Chen
I was in the grocery store, and there was a sign advertising a new product. Delight in a cup Your favorite XYZ Ice Cream Now in convenient single-serve cups. I took a look at the cup. Seemed kind of big for a single serving. I picked one up to read the nutritional information. Servings per container: 2...

How to hide privacy violations in a privacy disclosure statement, part 2

May 26, 2009 May 26, 2009 05/26/09
Raymond Chen
It seems that nearly every privacy statement somebody sends me doesn't actually protect my privacy. They start out saying all sorts of great things, like Company X is committed to maintaining the privacy of its customers. After the section listing what information they collect, there's the section describing who they will disclose it...

Reading the fine print, episode 2: Portable headphones

March 8, 2006 Mar 8, 2006 03/8/06
Raymond Chen
Marketing writes the big print; lawyers write the small print. I bought some portable stereo headphones. The front of the box says you can use it "while in-line skating, power walking, biking, jogging, skiing, running, weightlifting, climbing and more." (Emphasis mine.) The back of the box says that it should not be used "while driving or ...

How to hide privacy violations in a privacy disclosure statement

December 27, 2003 Dec 27, 2003 12/27/03
Raymond Chen
I'm looking over my Fidelity privacy disclosure statement, titled "Our commitment to privacy". Google is amazing: It found a copy online: Our Commitment to Privacy. Scroll down to How and Why We Obtain Personal Information, fourth bullet point: (Italics added.) The italicized phrase translates as "We will collect personal information in ...