When someone starts to infer the right to share data, they will then infer with whom they can share that data with. The chain of inferences then becomes unmanageable and the data will then become universally known. There needs to be some limits to any suggestion of inference, the problem then becomes how to control those. Look at how our browsing habits and third party knowledge has become 'we own all your data'. This isn't right.
To some, that is your fault. You elected the thugs that hired the thugs. So reap what you sow.
I, on the other hand, think we need to look at the system that allows thugs to be elected so they can hire thugs to strip us of our rights without consequence. Get rid of parties, money and patronage (parties appointing the next to be elected) from politics. I do believe things will work themselves out over several election cycles under a new system. Getting that system installed will be a problem.
Wasn't there another Techdirt article today about media reporting facts out of context? Why, yes...there was.
Here is a prime example of media reporting whatever the 'authoritays' spew. No investigation, no asking questions, no concern for truth or justice, just spew. They could have held the story until a few questions were asked, but NOOOO, first to report is much more important than context. Will CBS Miami do a decent job of retracting their obsequious reports? Not a chance. I bet there isn't even a retraction, on air or on their website, let alone an appology for reporting 'what the cop said' rather than facts in context, and maybe, just maybe defaming the 'perpetrators' of no wrong doing.
You might, and I mean might might be a bit strong, be able to read, but your comprehension sucks. The email claimed to have gotten the password from an adult site. Mike says he used that password for unimportant sites. That means that Mike considers his porn sites to be unimportant, but even that is pure conjecture, and I think that he visited an adult site is unlikely, and it is even more unlikely that he supplied that site with a password, one that he used on other sites. Get real.
Or, much more likely, the spammer got the password from some compromised site that Mike considered unimportant and stopped visiting long ago (or has a new password for), which was in fact not porn. Then the fraudster made a claim that it was taken from an adult site to put fear into the recipient. It does not appear that Mike has fear, which is also supportive of his not visiting adult sites.
If I had gotten this email, I would just look up that password in my password manager (pwsafe is my choice and works for me in Windows, Linux, and Android and I also see they have IOS versions) and then go to that site and change the password. They would have no video of me, as the tape over my webcam is fairly permanent and that webcam is rarely used. Any video they have would be of the back of the tape, and it would be clear to me that they had not even reviewed what they were threatening me with.
Re: Re: Re: Counterpoint -- Is This Really So Bad?
The cameras of my laptop and tablet are covered with pieces of duct tape (the TV doesn't have one). I live alone and rarely have conversations at home, though I doubt anything could be learned from what I tend to talk about. But I don't know if either is listening, I wish I did. That disclosure should not only be required, but it should legally, and easily be disabled. Better yet, it should be opt in or not possible.
The little data a Smart V could get is a drop-in-the-bucket compared to everything else we use.
Except when you consider the videos and recordings of conversations and activities held within the 'ahem' purview (aka view of or hearing of) the TV. Viewing habits are one thing, conversations or 'activities' are another. Both are vulnerable with some systems.
I use Linux, though have no experience with BSD. However I don't think a command line interface would be much of a deterrent to hackers. My thoughts are more along the line of the OS's ability to allow access or more importantly disallow, and control outputs, or more importantly disallow except to specific instances. Being built from the ground up, with those thoughts in mind seems like a better way to go. And much less code to review.
Include: all the apps that are installed by default and then that are not removable lest they break the system. To me, if something is part of the system then it should be part of the operating system, and not a separate app. Every app should be removable. I do understand that there are some exceptions to this, a text editor might be required by the OS, but games? Music? Cloud print? Books? Movies & TV, Hangouts? Now if what you want from the app store requires some other app, then mark it as a dependency, and let the user then decide.
Second, the inability to restrict app permissions without breaking an app. For example, if I don't want an app to access my contact list, because the purpose of the app has nothing to do with contacts, it should be my determination, not the developers.
Third, well I don't have a third but those first two are pretty strongly felt. On the other hand, I use my tablet mostly for reading books (I have my own source of books, don't need Googles),(why they don't make a decent 7" device anymore really irks me) and secondarily for web and or maps when on the go. Though I would never even consider trying to bring the device across a US border, given current behaviors.
Well, third might be the fact that one cannot create a Google account anymore without a phone that receives text messages. I don't have a phone, and while the offer of the ability to use someone else's phone to do the authentication, that is not something I would impose upon any actual friend. It might expose them to things I wouldn't wish upon others. Me...OK, others, no.
I just checked, my Android tablet allows several different search functions, but not the one I want, Duck Duck Go.
Right, now think about putting those folks (there seems to be an awful lot of them) to work at an occupation that enhances the economy rather than drain it.
That is an idea, but desktop operating systems, I think, have a tendency to have multiple ways of access (API's) and output (the variety of ports on the machine). I am suggesting an OS that doesn't have any of those. Only one focus. Minimal ways to access, with very strong restrictions. Minimal ways to output, with very strong restrictions. Automatic ways to backup inputs. It might be that it is merely a scanner of that paper ballot, but that does not deprecate the necessity of security, or backup or control of access.
Can you imagine if all those middlemen negotiators were actually employed in contributing to the economy rather than sucking off significant parts of it to support non creators? Would burgeoning be too strong?
Then maybe they should create an OS that is election system specific. Open Sourced of course, but starting with the premise of security, and minimizing the ability to access it without net access, and say two or three factor authentication and outputs to multiple devices that must be locally installed (a usable device and a backup device). Physically moving one of those outputs to another device for uploading to a compilation machine.
Security is hard, which makes the ability to access the system harder should be the norm. Paper ballots might be the way to go, though as pointed out elsewhere they have issues as well, the question is, can a system be established that is good enough.
With an open source hardware/software/firmware/OS project, could we create something that is as good, or better that what we have now? While the experts say no, I am thinking they are responding to existing systems. What if they helped to create a new system (maybe blockchains, also mentioned elsewhere, could help) with many eyes looking at it (also mentioned elsewhere). Perfect security might be a panacea, but what about better security?
I did not, nor would I suggest that the behavior of these TV manufacturers, or for that matter many other IOT devices, or for that matter many, many Internet websites that their behavior is not reprehensible. My suggestion above was not about stopping the practice, but about protecting oneself when one becomes aware. The mere fact that few, if any non-smart TV's are available in the marketplace it very telling about the intent of manufacturers. They want continued income by spying on us. Don't let them.
The problem with merely making their schemes transparent is that it really should be illegal. Try getting your legislature to follow up on that. I wish you luck. I am for that effort, but I wish you luck under current conditions. When those companies have more power with your representative than you do, it is not going anywhere...fast.
And I am the antipode. I have a TV, not connected to the Internet, but connected to my network (it's not a 'smart version so even though my network is connected to the internet, it is not (older model 'smart options not available)). I use my collection. There is a Raspberry Pi runing my NAS hooked up to a couple of 4 TB SSD's that don't need power supplies and another Raspberry Pi running LibreElec to collate and play my content. There is lots of content, and though I may have violated some stupid copyright maximalist rules by transferring it to digital media without DRM, I am unconcerned. And for good reason.
I am over 60 years old, if you think I haven't been collecting content for some time, your mistaken.
Really? Easy? So what does the editor do? Hold all posts for moderation...for years? When do they find out about any defamation claims if it is never posted? Stop commenting altogether? Then we would not have been able to have this discussion.
Editors knowing what is or is not defamatory is about as likely as anyone knowing what is or is not someone else's copyright. It is as easy as checking the databases...right?
Isn't the way to defeat smart TV collecting information is to not enable (or disable it now) the 'smart' software and to deny the TV internet access (remove the WiFi password and/or unplug the Ethernet)?
On the post: Irish Lawmakers Realizing The GDPR's Consent Requirements Seem A Bit Onerous, Want To 'Infer' Consent
Open the floodgates
On the post: Miami Cops Forced To Give $20,000 Back To Person They Stole It From After Screwing Up Their Supposed Drug Bust
Re: $3000 paid by Public
I, on the other hand, think we need to look at the system that allows thugs to be elected so they can hire thugs to strip us of our rights without consequence. Get rid of parties, money and patronage (parties appointing the next to be elected) from politics. I do believe things will work themselves out over several election cycles under a new system. Getting that system installed will be a problem.
On the post: Miami Cops Forced To Give $20,000 Back To Person They Stole It From After Screwing Up Their Supposed Drug Bust
Wasn't there another Techdirt article today about media reporting facts out of context? Why, yes...there was.
Here is a prime example of media reporting whatever the 'authoritays' spew. No investigation, no asking questions, no concern for truth or justice, just spew. They could have held the story until a few questions were asked, but NOOOO, first to report is much more important than context. Will CBS Miami do a decent job of retracting their obsequious reports? Not a chance. I bet there isn't even a retraction, on air or on their website, let alone an appology for reporting 'what the cop said' rather than facts in context, and maybe, just maybe defaming the 'perpetrators' of no wrong doing.
On the post: Hacked Passwords Being Used In Blackmail Attempt -- Expect More Of This
Re:
On the post: Hacked Passwords Being Used In Blackmail Attempt -- Expect More Of This
Re:
You might, and I mean might might be a bit strong, be able to read, but your comprehension sucks. The email claimed to have gotten the password from an adult site. Mike says he used that password for unimportant sites. That means that Mike considers his porn sites to be unimportant, but even that is pure conjecture, and I think that he visited an adult site is unlikely, and it is even more unlikely that he supplied that site with a password, one that he used on other sites. Get real.
Or, much more likely, the spammer got the password from some compromised site that Mike considered unimportant and stopped visiting long ago (or has a new password for), which was in fact not porn. Then the fraudster made a claim that it was taken from an adult site to put fear into the recipient. It does not appear that Mike has fear, which is also supportive of his not visiting adult sites.
If I had gotten this email, I would just look up that password in my password manager (pwsafe is my choice and works for me in Windows, Linux, and Android and I also see they have IOS versions) and then go to that site and change the password. They would have no video of me, as the tape over my webcam is fairly permanent and that webcam is rarely used. Any video they have would be of the back of the tape, and it would be clear to me that they had not even reviewed what they were threatening me with.
On the post: The View From Somewhere: The Press Needs To Be Anti-Partisan, Not Bi-Partisan
Re: "Anti-Partisan, Not Bi-Partisan"
On the post: 'Smart' TVs Remain The Poster Child For Dismal Privacy, Transparency & Security Standards
Re: Re: Re: Counterpoint -- Is This Really So Bad?
On the post: 'Smart' TVs Remain The Poster Child For Dismal Privacy, Transparency & Security Standards
Re: Counterpoint -- Is This Really So Bad?
Except when you consider the videos and recordings of conversations and activities held within the 'ahem' purview (aka view of or hearing of) the TV. Viewing habits are one thing, conversations or 'activities' are another. Both are vulnerable with some systems.
On the post: Biggest Voting Machine Maker Admits -- Ooops -- That It Installed Remote Access Software After First Denying It
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
On the post: Some Thoughts On The EU's Latest $5 Billion Google Antitrust Fine
My Issues With Android
Second, the inability to restrict app permissions without breaking an app. For example, if I don't want an app to access my contact list, because the purpose of the app has nothing to do with contacts, it should be my determination, not the developers.
Third, well I don't have a third but those first two are pretty strongly felt. On the other hand, I use my tablet mostly for reading books (I have my own source of books, don't need Googles),(why they don't make a decent 7" device anymore really irks me) and secondarily for web and or maps when on the go. Though I would never even consider trying to bring the device across a US border, given current behaviors.
Well, third might be the fact that one cannot create a Google account anymore without a phone that receives text messages. I don't have a phone, and while the offer of the ability to use someone else's phone to do the authentication, that is not something I would impose upon any actual friend. It might expose them to things I wouldn't wish upon others. Me...OK, others, no.
I just checked, my Android tablet allows several different search functions, but not the one I want, Duck Duck Go.
On the post: French Pirates Are Increasingly Buying Through Legal Options
Re: Re: Re:
On the post: Biggest Voting Machine Maker Admits -- Ooops -- That It Installed Remote Access Software After First Denying It
Re: Re: Re: Re:
On the post: French Pirates Are Increasingly Buying Through Legal Options
Re:
On the post: Biggest Voting Machine Maker Admits -- Ooops -- That It Installed Remote Access Software After First Denying It
Re: Re:
Security is hard, which makes the ability to access the system harder should be the norm. Paper ballots might be the way to go, though as pointed out elsewhere they have issues as well, the question is, can a system be established that is good enough.
With an open source hardware/software/firmware/OS project, could we create something that is as good, or better that what we have now? While the experts say no, I am thinking they are responding to existing systems. What if they helped to create a new system (maybe blockchains, also mentioned elsewhere, could help) with many eyes looking at it (also mentioned elsewhere). Perfect security might be a panacea, but what about better security?
On the post: 'Smart' TVs Remain The Poster Child For Dismal Privacy, Transparency & Security Standards
Re: Re: So...turn it off.
The problem with merely making their schemes transparent is that it really should be illegal. Try getting your legislature to follow up on that. I wish you luck. I am for that effort, but I wish you luck under current conditions. When those companies have more power with your representative than you do, it is not going anywhere...fast.
On the post: 'Smart' TVs Remain The Poster Child For Dismal Privacy, Transparency & Security Standards
Re: Re: So...turn it off.
And I am the antipode. I have a TV, not connected to the Internet, but connected to my network (it's not a 'smart version so even though my network is connected to the internet, it is not (older model 'smart options not available)). I use my collection. There is a Raspberry Pi runing my NAS hooked up to a couple of 4 TB SSD's that don't need power supplies and another Raspberry Pi running LibreElec to collate and play my content. There is lots of content, and though I may have violated some stupid copyright maximalist rules by transferring it to digital media without DRM, I am unconcerned. And for good reason.
I am over 60 years old, if you think I haven't been collecting content for some time, your mistaken.
On the post: Grandstanding Idiots In Congress Attack Social Media For Censoring Too Much And Too Little Without Understanding Anything
Re: Re: Re: Re:
Really? Easy? So what does the editor do? Hold all posts for moderation...for years? When do they find out about any defamation claims if it is never posted? Stop commenting altogether? Then we would not have been able to have this discussion.
Better still, Leigh answered it better.
On the post: 'Smart' TVs Remain The Poster Child For Dismal Privacy, Transparency & Security Standards
Re: Re: So...turn it off.
On the post: Grandstanding Idiots In Congress Attack Social Media For Censoring Too Much And Too Little Without Understanding Anything
Re: Re:
On the post: 'Smart' TVs Remain The Poster Child For Dismal Privacy, Transparency & Security Standards
So...turn it off.
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