Someone told me that if someone buys a network-compatible device such as a WLAN adapter, a laptop or a smartphone from a retailer, such as a department store or in an internet shop, the retailer would then save the device address (MAC address) and the customer data together, and then passes it on so that, for example, the authorities can track where the relevant person is at any time?
Is that so?
May be. It is even likely.
However, it is up to you whether a device constantly spits its Mac number into the ether.
Why should manufacturers do that? Just because I buy that doesn't mean I use it. And when I pay cash in the store, nobody has my data anyway.
No, the Mac address is assigned by the network card manufacturer or motherboard manufacturer and save which Mac address was assigned for which device.
The seller theoretically has the option of storing the information. But I can't imagine whether they are allowed to do this.
If you are still worried, you can fake your Mac address.
It is an old wives tale. Take Saturn, routers etc. They have hundreds, the same models but have the same barcode, i.e. It would have to be entered manually somewhere. They also do not have your personal data, they must not be saved (unless you finance or something).
Then this could mean data protection problems, depending on the interpretation.
In addition, the MAC address would be absolutely useless for most things. Your private MAC address is not visible on the Internet, but only to those directly involved (i.e. Router / switch). And the MAC can be changed easily.
Why when I buy something from a retailer like Saturn they always ask for name, address etc. Or if I buy something from Amazon then also. And the MAC address is unique. I don't think you can change them just like that.
You can't fake them.
I have never been asked for my data at Saturn, nor would I provide it. Can also be random.
Amazon clear, is also sent by parcel.
The MAC address is only on the outside of some products and can be easily changed on most devices. The latter from experience.
But as I said, requests to the Internet go out with the IP of the router, possibly MAC from the router, but the internal IP is only stored in the router.
Of course you can fake them, otherwise the world would be bad.
https://www.ionos.at/digitalguide/server/knowhow/was-ist-mac-spoofing/
Yes, can be rewritten as you like. (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC-Filter#MAC-Spoofing)
