Online privacy

Did you have Location turned on or was it in an area that you're normally in? If it was nearby, would be higher up the list of suggestions.

Location services is set to 'ask' for google Maps. I don't believe I enabled it at that point, but nevertheless, if I did the Midland Hotel was not (that) close to where I was at the time. Same city, obviously, but I was the other end of town.

Yeah, curious. The tyre story, too ...
 
One that caught me recently ...

While we're on big data and in another thread discussing the key issue of the day, where is big data in all this? They know where everyone is, so when folks are confirmed as having COVID-19, surely big data can figure out everyone who has been in contact with them over the last period, who they've been in contact with ... and get ahead of this.

Important point I think and one that has not been widely discussed in the media. Big data is a significant tool for China and South Korea in controlling COVID-19...citizens have downloaded an App (register a phone number, name and ID number); they immediately see if they were in contact or close proximity with someone infected. China can also track movements and near contacts. If a person tests positive their data will detail what other people they came in close proximity to during their period of infection. It turbo charges contact tracing. I can understand why there maybe a reluctance to use this technology in the West but the reality is FAANG already collects most of this data.
 
Important point I think and one that has not been widely discussed in the media. Big data is a significant tool for China and South Korea in controlling COVID-19...citizens have downloaded an App (register a phone number, name and ID number); they immediately see if they were in contact or close proximity with someone infected. China can also track movements and near contacts. If a person tests positive their data will detail what other people they came in close proximity to during their period of infection. It turbo charges contact tracing. I can understand why there maybe a reluctance to use this technology in the West but the reality is FAANG already collects most of this data.
Really interesting point, @Missoni. Here are two good reads relating to COVID-19 and the use of mobile phone tracking to monitor movement patterns and potential contamination.

BBC article about the Police in Singapore using phone data from those who have contracted the virus:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-51866102

Sky News confirming that O2 (& probably other network providers) are supplying the Government phone movement details to monitor behaviour patterns:
https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...ile-location-data-to-tackle-outbreak-11960050

I have general issues about online privacy and use of personal data; however, I feel that under these serious circumstances, this type of state use of data is ethical. Probably contradictory - but necessary. Will help inform the Government of complaince of social distancing, and legalise lockdowns.
 
Really interesting point, @Missoni. Here are two good reads relating to COVID-19 and the use of mobile phone tracking to monitor movement patterns and potential contamination.

BBC article about the Police in Singapore using phone data from those who have contracted the virus:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-51866102

Sky News confirming that O2 (& probably other network providers) are supplying the Government phone movement details to monitor behaviour patterns:
https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...ile-location-data-to-tackle-outbreak-11960050

I have general issues about online privacy and use of personal data; however, I feel that under these serious circumstances, this type of state use of data is ethical. Probably contradictory - but necessary. Will help inform the Government of complaince of social distancing, and legalise lockdowns.

Agreed...we could use big data and AI for good and probably still put in reasonable privacy guards with sunset clauses etc...
 
Agreed...we could use big data and AI for good and probably still put in reasonable privacy guards with sunset clauses etc...
Governments (ones in the UK at least) generally aren't good at putting sunset clauses in place in my limited experience, unless there is a lot of oversight of what they want to put in place and there is enough push back to mean they might lose a vote on the issue. I doubt there'll be either in this case
 
Governments (ones in the UK at least) generally aren't good at putting sunset clauses in place in my limited experience, unless there is a lot of oversight of what they want to put in place and there is enough push back to mean they might lose a vote on the issue. I doubt there'll be either in this case

Sadly...I think your observation is correct...
 
On a different note, quick hack that I forgot to mention earlier. If you don't want or have a webcam privacy cover, I've been using little pieces of post-it notes for years. Simple, cheap and easily replaceable, with the bonus that they don't prevent your laptop lid from closing completely

If your system's so compromised that someone's remotely controlling your webcam you have bigger problems than them seeing you crack one off. ;)
 
If your system's so compromised that someone's remotely controlling your webcam you have bigger problems than them seeing you crack one off. ;)
Depends if it's compromised by someone malicious (and if so, what their aim is) or if it's compromised by design (management software on a company laptop). I remember reading a few years ago on BoingBoing about a US school district that handed out laptops to their kids which allowed the webcam to be remotely enabled
 
Depends if it's compromised by someone malicious (and if so, what their aim is) or if it's compromised by design (management software on a company laptop). I remember reading a few years ago on BoingBoing about a US school district that handed out laptops to their kids which allowed the webcam to be remotely enabled

I'd have no problem with that, my company laptop is only used for work, it's not a personal device. As for the kids, surely a school laptop should be used for schoolwork? Depending on the age of the children under parental supervision.
 
I'd have no problem with that, my company laptop is only used for work, it's not a personal device. As for the kids, surely a school laptop should be used for schoolwork? Depending on the age of the children under parental supervision.
Without going too deeply into that specific scenario, a child's laptop is a lot more likely to be used it their bedroom. That may not be the case with all children and all parents may not allow that, but the majority probably will
 
Without going too deeply into that specific scenario, a child's laptop is a lot more likely to be used it their bedroom. That may not be the case with all children and all parents may not allow that, but the majority probably will

Obviously that could potentially be exploited in a way no-one would want and is one reason why IMO no internet-connected device should be in a child's bedroom. The temptation for them to be messing about on the computer instead of sleeping being another one.
 
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