After reading, ¨Smart Talking: are our devices threatening our privacy?¨ by James Vlahos, it has changed the way I viewed technology and our devices nowadays. From evidence describing actual occurrences, including crime scenes, it has made me realize that the devices that exist in our homes, the ones we carry around with us all day, even toys that children own are being tracked and listened to. This is very frightening to think about, since many teenagers and adults are constantly using social media and the internet. In this article, it described how researchers conducted an experiment where they foolingly convinced the voice AIs to hack into an Audi SUV, make phone and video calls, and send fake messages. This shows how easily a hacker is able to do any of what these researchers did. Now most people do not want corporations, hackers, or even the government to listen to their calls or stalk their message receipts. But because of these incidents, it sure has caused questioning into who is actually listening to us. However, is it also a good thing to have Siri record whatever it is we have asked or told it before? For example, in the article it describes how Siri is trained to catch when people might say highly sensitive things, such as ¨I want to kill myself.¨ More likely Siri would respond with suggesting a suicide prevention institution to help, and this is just one of many examples. So would it be a good thing to keep our devices like this, or does each user deserve the right for their absolute and complete privacy? Furthermore, this article was a descriptive, evidential explanation of the unawareness of what our devices are capable of performing, such as eavesdropping, but also the prevention of any harm to the user. To conclude, this can be a debatable topic depending on the different situations and point of views, but the way I see it, I would still want complete privacy at all times.
-Alexis Pendleton
I see your view on wanting privacy all the time and I agree. I also think that if companies are going to design the devices to listen and record what we hear, they should make us aware and put the information in all of the papers that we sign when getting a new phone or car. But most people don't read those papers thoroughly and simply want the device. We just want the technology we were promised and don't realize or care about what is being recorded until it is mentioned in an article like this.
ReplyDeleteFor your point on hackers, they have the ability to hack cars and phones no matter what companies record or don't. But if they hack the company, they can access these recordings and even more personal information. So if you think about it, with exceptionally good hackers out there, our privacy is always at risk of being exposed.
I similarly thought about how they should list all the capabilities of the given device in the fine print as an attempt to not only aware the participant but to avoid potential lawsuits.
DeleteIn favor of the company, I’d say that slipping this information into the fine print is a discreet yet smart way of getting away with what we see as an invasion of privacy. A vast majority of users do not read what they sign their name on if its seen as too long. Therefore, the company can claim that they forewarned you in the print which in the end, makes it your fault for technically giving consent by signing it.
- Jordyn Parham
I totally agree with you, aniya. You and jordyn had simliar views about listing the information about what the device can actually do, which is definitely something to consider. Yea, most people will probably not read the fine print, but if they were to sue the company for the invasion of our privacy, it would make it our fault in not thoroughly reading the information.
DeleteI agree with you in that I also want privacy, but I also believe that we should not have complete privacy. You mentioning how Siri can catch highly sensitive things that are said made me realize I would like phones to be able to catch things like that in order to attempt to prevent suicide or other dangerous acts. However, I do believe monitoring for anything other than this is an invasion of privacy and should not be allowed.
ReplyDeleteI do believe we deserve full privacy when buying these devices. But this very debatable and I'm in the middle of whether I think our devices should listen to our conversations or not. The example you gave about siri and it catching sensitive conversations is arguable. Maybe the buyer should be aware that there will be actions taken place if a device hears you are trying to harm yourself or another. But would they do this with other crimes too? In the article they also mentioned that these devices can be used against us. If we aren't aware that the devices are listening to us, the companies would not be at fault for not taking action. I think the only way to avoid this whole debate is to give us our full privacy.
ReplyDeleteEveryone does deserve their privacy, but phones should have an option for that. Some people may not care while others want to be private. I understand both sides, but it would be more convenient for us if we were given that option. Technology is getting more advanced everyday so the least they could do is give us a bit more privacy.
ReplyDeleteAlthough technology is becoming more and more advanced everyday, we still deserve privacy. With us getting devices for our personal use we deserve privacy. We shouldn't be constantly worried that someone is listen to our conversations. The siri listening to different sensitive words part can be debatebly a good thing.
ReplyDelete