So, I don't normally use my VPN, but I did earlier when I switched location to Italy.
I didn't log into anything other than Mastodon (which I was already logged into), and I just received some Netflix email spam in Italian.
Is my location leaking my email address or something?
@andycarolan Maybe, but I live on VPN through Sweden and they didn't ever spam me like that. But also maybe they copped that I VPN through Sweden
@abban It wasn't actually from Netflix, just one of the usual "update your payment method" spams. It's really odd.
@andycarolan I’d say it was coincidence then IMO
@abban Amazing isn't it.
BRB, going to do the lotto 😅
@andycarolan Did you do that on a PC or mobile? Did you have other browser tabs open that might have re-loaded?
@raisondetredev Mac, and I had two browers open, Safari (logged into here), and Reddit in a Duck Duck Go browser tab. Nothing else logged in, other than whatever apps are running.
Oct 23, 2026, 5:30 PM@andycarolan Maybe a tracker somewhere just made as assumption based on your IP?
@macmanx I've no idea... I have blockers on DDG and Safari browsers.
@andycarolan @macmanx My wife saw something about DDG sharing things. I’ve meant to look into it.
Oct 23, 2026, 5:48 PM@andycarolan Not really. Your IP address can give away an approximate location, but it doesn't reveal your email address.
James has a point about trackers, though. If a service already knows your email through a login, cookies, or previously collected data, it might associate that with your VPN location.
Still, getting Italian Netflix spam right after connecting through Italy is probably just a coincidence. Your address may already be on a spam list.
I'd be more suspicious of the Netflix email than the VPN. :)
@pablo Yup, I wondered that... I don't think I have any dodgy or compromised extensions running, but honestly, who knows any more 😅
Oct 23, 2026, 5:53 PM@andycarolan I just got the same Netflix spam email in Italian and I haven't done anything with/in Italy in ages.
Oct 23, 2026, 5:55 PM@wq @andycarolan Well, that makes the VPN theory a lot less likely!
I did a little digging, and Italy's CERT-AGID actually reported Netflix phishing campaigns earlier this month. There's also a recent report about fake Netflix subscription renewal emails circulating in Italian. https://cert-agid.gov.it/news/sintesi-riepilogativa-delle-campagne-malevole-nella-settimana-del-3-9-ottobre/
Oct 23, 2026, 6:02 PM@pablo @andycarolan It came to the email associated with my fedi and git profiles (and not much else) so I'm sure it got scraped.
@wq Maybe it was just a spooky coincidence 👻