Privacy and Ownership of Information

Theory of Knowledge Presentation #3

Transcript

1. Privacy and Ownership of Information Michael Han January 5, 2012
2. Carrier IQ Trevor Eckhart, a security researcher, discovered a hidden program installed on his smartphone that could not be uninstalled. This program has the ability to log all your keystrokes, track your location, and intercept your text messages.
3. Though this program may seem like it is not very prevalent, Carrier IQ claims “its software is installed on over 140 million devices including those by Sprint, HTC, Apple, and Samsung.” Nokia, RIM, and Verizon are also rumored to be partners.
4. Cause for Concern? It’s supposed to provide useful data to your carriers to help improve their network, but……. It does not respond to force quit commands It continues to log data, even if you are disconnected from the wireless network (airplane mode)
5. Is permission required to obtain knowledge about a certain person or subject? Applies to ethics, reason, emotion.
6. 1. Yes, privacy should always be protected. People have a right to their own privacy. Carrier IQ is an invasion of that privacy.
7. 2. It’s okay, as long as my information is being kept safe. As long as I can trust the company. Many people feel this way – you give your information to Amazon, eBay, Facebook, etc.
8. Although Carrier IQ claims they don’t exploit our information, can we really trust a third party not to sell our information to someone else? Can we really trust anyone who has the ability to make money this way? Carrier IQ has stated multiple times that they only collect information to send to the carriers to help improve their networks.
9. 3. If it is to protect you against threats, then it is certainly justified. This was the rationale behind the Patriot Act: a post 9/11 bill signed into law on October 26, 2001
10. Essentially, it reduces restrictions placed on our government from invading our privacy, if you are a suspected terrorist.
11. Many criticize Congress for rushing the Patriot Act through to getting it signed. Again, this is more of a trust issue. During that time period, people felt more vulnerable than ever before, so they put their trust into the government.
12. 4. In this day and age, it is unreasonable to expect that our privacy will be protected all the time. Google Street View Find My Friends Facebook Metadata on pictures
13. Active steps will need to be taken on your own to make sure your privacy is protected.
14. Sources • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_privacy • http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-57335220- 245/what-does-carrier-iq-do-on-my-phone-and-should-i- care-faq/ • http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/carrier-iq-what-it- is-what-it-isnt-and-what-you-need-to/ • http://www.justice.gov/archive/ll/highlights.htm • http://www.libertarianism.com/content/98/issues