By Leslie Clavin
While Facebook’s recent redesign has gotten some harsh criticism over the privacy (or perceived lack thereof) of content deliberately shared by its users, this week the ACLU of North Carolina released information obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request into local law enforcement’s access to mobile phone information that has been raising the neck hairs of privacy experts across the nation. Continue reading
By Jenna Starkey
According to today’s article in Mashable, Facebook has rolled out a “Big” privacy upgrade to iPhone. Of course my first reaction is it’s about time, and thank you. As the main program in my app arsenal, I depend on mobile Facebook to work just as seamlessly and effectively as the desktop version. All the minute Facebook changes usually just annoy rather than excite me, but I’ll take what I can get. Continue reading
By Marla Kertzman
A little paranoia now and again is a beautiful thing.
I’ve had the great honor of working in-house at a major security company. I’ve also had the good fortune of having security clients and what I’ve learned will forever resonate. There is something quite powerful about working alongside former FBI and CIA encryption experts, white hats and black hats. Clearly, the security point-of-view teaches you to look through the technology lens with a little paranoia. Specifically, while you’re looking through the lens, who or what is looking back?
OnStar is a great example. By way of background:
OnStar is an always-on General Motors-owned GPS system that continually provides a vehicle’s longitude and latitude to a central location staffed with call center personnel. For most vehicles, OnStar is enabled 24/7 providing constant vehicle tracking. OnStar also has a “Remote Ignition Block” feature allowing the company to remotely deactivate the ignition, so when the vehicle is shut off, it cannot be restarted. If a car is stolen, the “Remote Ignition Block” feature is a beautiful thing.
Most of us have listened to OnStar radio advertisements that within 30 seconds take us from a “that could be me” to “happily ever after” all while drawing on our emotions. One particular advertisement resonates with me; it’s the one with a lady panicking because she locked her keys inside her car with the baby screaming in the background. Yes, it is OnStar to the rescue as they unlock the car remotely, the woman calms down and the crying ceases.
Great. Right? Well, yes and no. Let’s ask a few questions here:
What if…?
In the wrong hands, the impact could be devastating and far-reaching.
Face it, we all love our mobile technology and GPS enabled devices. These technologies unequivocally provide great contributions for society and today’s nomadic lifestyle.
Let’s never lose sight that there are two sides to every story, and technology.
A little bit more about me: I am loyal to any brand as long as it works. My beliefs are 1) technology is life altering 2) the opposite of social media engagement is anti-social behavior and 3) there is no substitute for eye contact. When not steeped in client work I can be found enjoying the companionship of equine and canine friends, whose honesty and simplistic needs will forever keep me grounded in reality.
