A family member once worked for a scientific prototype engineering firm where they devised surveillance devices for use primarily for law enforcement and security. That was the first time I learned that I was probably being watched in any public place. The eyes of mannikens in department stores can be cameras, tiny microphones can be placed anywhere to record what customers are saying about the merchandise, etc. and of course we know security cameras are surveilling us almost everywhere.
But it appears that public places also now include our homes. A current WSJ piece discusses the many devices that now utilize voice commands--Alexa, our smart phones, remotes on our smart TVs, watches, numerous appliances etc. And how many--not all but many--are transmitting what they see and/or hear for other uses?
But the point is, they could.
So what do you think? Is this getting out of hand? Could we unwittingly be transmitting everything we do and say to somebody(ies) who are listening and/or even watching? Our private conversations? Our family fights? Making love? Obviously the technology exists.
More importantly, does it bother you? And should it be regulated in any way?
P.S. The poll is set so that you can change your answer if you rethink it after this discussion.
But it appears that public places also now include our homes. A current WSJ piece discusses the many devices that now utilize voice commands--Alexa, our smart phones, remotes on our smart TVs, watches, numerous appliances etc. And how many--not all but many--are transmitting what they see and/or hear for other uses?
. . .Consider the voice-controlled trash can from Simplehuman. Say “Open can” and it opens—and then closes on its own once the user walks away. That’s it.
While it’s easy to make fun of a high-tech trash can, especially one that costs $200, this one tackles one of the biggest concerns that comes with smart assistants: the fact that they record what we tell them and send it back to their parent companies.
Simplehuman’s trash can doesn’t do this, says Guy Cohen, the company’s director of electronics engineering. That’s because the latest microphones and their attached microprocessors process human speech in the gadget itself, without connecting to the cloud. . .
All Ears: Always-On Listening Devices Could Soon Be EverywhereWhile it’s easy to make fun of a high-tech trash can, especially one that costs $200, this one tackles one of the biggest concerns that comes with smart assistants: the fact that they record what we tell them and send it back to their parent companies.
Simplehuman’s trash can doesn’t do this, says Guy Cohen, the company’s director of electronics engineering. That’s because the latest microphones and their attached microprocessors process human speech in the gadget itself, without connecting to the cloud. . .
But the point is, they could.
So what do you think? Is this getting out of hand? Could we unwittingly be transmitting everything we do and say to somebody(ies) who are listening and/or even watching? Our private conversations? Our family fights? Making love? Obviously the technology exists.
More importantly, does it bother you? And should it be regulated in any way?
P.S. The poll is set so that you can change your answer if you rethink it after this discussion.
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