I disagree. Usually "nothing" would have been better. The compromise rarely, if ever, fixes the original issue and just creates new loopholes, issues, etc. that need to be patched. One of the reasons we're in the mess we're in is not because Congress cannot agree on legislation it's that they agree too often on bad legislation.

Sprint customers can use the Verizon network. So, why use Verizon?

I confirmed this the hard way while trying to activate my iPhone with Sprint w/o WiFi. I had 3+ bars and couldn't get the damn thing to activate until I accidentally wandered into the 1 cubic foot of space where I could get Sprint's signal.

Meh, they'd prefer to overpay Northrop or Lockheed (or similar) to build it. In turn, they will end up subcontracting it out to Huawei. All the expense of doing it ourselves with the value add of the complete insecurity of having had China do it.

A $10 prize was too small; according to the judge it "created a hostile work environment by suggesting its employees turn on each other for a minimal monetary prize."

I guess he should have offered more money.

More like:

5. FTC grants waivers to ISPs and others (e.g. Google/Bing) under pressure from lobbyists and law enforcement under "protect the children" acts
6. Profit: ISPs and waived entities sell their legally obtained tracking data

Not to mention, the US government has little incentive to curb tracking. They'll give waivers to ISPs and Google, etc. for "protect the children" and "stop terrorism" reasons. They're already trying to force them to KEEP that data for longer and make it easier for law enforcement to get.

I'd prefer a technological solution to a legislative one. Legislative solutions will always lag and enforcement will be yet another waste my tax dollars. Not to mention how will US legislation, for example, help people being tracked by non-US based tracking companies.

Wow, a voluntary do not track program -- that'll catch on. The only reason the Do Not Call List worked out ok was because there were penalties for not using it and even then there was abuse and numerous work arounds and loopholes.

True, but magnets don't seem like a good solution either -- slightest pressure and the jack will come out. I do like _0xd0ad's idea of putting a flexible membrane on the exposed side. That would not only help keep it in and maintain good contact, but also insulate the jack and prevent the humming an exposed jack would certainly create.

Why not cut a little less than 1/2 and then the port could still hold an old jack w/o magnets?

Why don't they just outlaw the use of cash already. It will have the same effect, but much more broadly and be future-proof.