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Terrorism, web sites, games and privacy (anonymity)

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kat:
Where data is concerned "buying access" is probably of greater importance/concern than security per say, because it implies 'cost' is the only (real) barrier/controlling mechanism preventing unwarranted/unwanted access, not 'morals' ("Don't be Evil" right?), and not necessarily the 'law' (there are plenty of 'exceptions' in law to [cough]accidental access[/cough]).

Add to that the fact that Google and other data collection agencies make no bones about monetising the information they collect on us and it really does becomes a slippery slope (it's more akin to black ice, you know it's there but you don't know where until your butt hits the ground). Even Governments sell our data, albeit more clandestinely, through the sale of Census and other data (including medical records and financial information). The trouble is that when this stuff is discussed one come across as being a bit of a tin-foil hat wearer when nothing could be further from the truth.

ratty redemption [RIP]:
good points, very interesting.

i wonder if amazon etc, will ever start selling tin foil hats with their company logos on them? it would surely be more convenient for us consumers not to have to design and make our own. and just think how cool we would all look, he he.

kat:
Google Street View images being used to 'find' tax dodgers. According to the article, Government agencies (in Lithuania in this instance but it does appear to be used elsewhere) are trawling through images produced by Google for properties which appear to have unapproved modifications or other 'undeclared' changes/improvements. Once found they are prosecuted relative to their suspected infringements.

Could XBox One and other 'always on' technologies be used in similar fashion? Granted there is a slight difference in that Street View images are published into the 'Public Commons' and readily accessible  by anyone. However, the over-reaching problem with the way data is or can be used means, certainly within the context of the above, that anyone highlighted by such 'mining' is considered suspicious of something irrespective as to whether they are or not (the simple act of looking automatically implies 'suspicion' if not 'guilt'). Are there remedies to say "no thanks" to this other than simply not using technology and becoming Luddites?

"What are you worried about? You have nothing to hide, right?"
"If I have nothing to hide, you have no reason to look!"

ratty redemption [RIP]:
can the fbi remotely activate our android & laptop mics?

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftechbeat.com%2F2013%2F08%2Fthe-fbi-can-remotely-activate-your-android-and-laptop-mics%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE0PybkKfgZmqaYVuolC52IbvFRKQ

kat:
Yes. They've been able to do this for some time in fact.

And... they don't need to (have never needed to actually) install any 'bugs' or additional tools to do it either as the manufacturers are required by law to build 'backdoors' into their devices and systems to allow access since the early/mid 1990's. This is all done under the auspices of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act under the control of the FCC which specifically;


--- Quote from: Wikipedia ---CALEA's purpose is to enhance the ability of law enforcement and intelligence agencies to conduct electronic surveillance by requiring that telecommunications carriers and manufacturers of telecommunications equipment modify and design their equipment, facilities, and services to ensure that they have built-in surveillance capabilities, allowing federal agencies to monitor all telephone, broadband internet, and VoIP traffic in real-time.
--- End quote ---

To put this in context.. when we wonder at the NSA's (and other alphabet agencies) apathy over our outrage at what they do, they just look at CALEA and their likes and shrug their shoulders with a "meh, you should have thought about it when 'X' was passed".

The broader problem for us at least is that whilst TechBeat wasn't around at the time, other newspapers were, and as has been their failing for a long time, they've collectively been remiss in the duties to inform the wider public of the broader issues and source documents on matters like this; which is why Conspiracy Theories pop-up - which newspapers then do their level best to marginalise and dismiss through hyperbole and ad hominems so as to control the narrative, i.e. not just what story is being told, but more importantly for them as corporations, who is telling it - news is a highly profitable big business.

It should be noted that it's highly likely that more-of-less where ever you see the little "FCC" sticker, it's likely the device carries this ability irrespective as to where it is in the world.

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