This might be related to reports that many, if not all, of the newer "smart phones" have a preinstalled program intended to track where users go on the web, purportedly for purposes of anonymous "targeted advertising," which of course is a "product" that the servers/services can sell profitably.

There was a flurry of complaints in the US, and lots of lamentations, a couple of weeks ago, resulting in numerous "explanations" from those using the tracking, most of whom apparently had no idea (do we believe that?) what unintended and more invasive purposes could exploit the information being gathered. A Congressional investigation was demanded. The FBI was accused of having sought information about the system(s). The FBI of course denied any contact with the makers. No reports of whether Homeland Security and/or other "security agencies" had made any use of it, although there were suggestions that some may have "requested the information" that would only be available from a system of the sort. The makers of this "legal malware" of course denied any objectionable intent and blamed the ISPs and phone services for "any misuse," while of course saying "but there hasn't been any."

Unfortunately I didn't make notes when the news was current, and when I looked today I can't find any mention of the whole buzz in any current reports. (I had hoped at least to identify a name for the program/hardware "bug.")

The sudden disappearance of any and all reference to what was a widespread concern so recently would seem to support claims that the black helicopters have visited all who complained, and the "users" have tightened their controls for more effective concealment.

I feel safe in saying that I found the reported tracking highly objectionable - but I'm safe only 'cause all the Feds left Kansas when it got cheaper to buy our 'shine from the Oklahoma potato farmers about 40 years ago.

I'm pretty sure some of my eNewsletters had reports, and I may find a chance to look back through them. If the reports prevously linked from the eNews have disappeared I'll try to save a piece of Al foil for you to make a hat out of - like the one I'll be wearing.

Of course, your instance may be entirely unrelated to the one I'm recalling; although it sounds remarkably similar.

John