Today, Google Wallet let me know that one of my rewards cards' stores was close. I'm not sure whether to be concerned or thrilled. It's more than the other, Key Ring, ever let me know.
Last week, the Speedway app let me know repeatedly that one of their filling station/convenience stores was near.
It's definitely useful, but should I be concerned?
I've said in the past that the best privacy on the internet is to delete yourself and stay off the internet. That remains true. It is the safest way to privacy. It's also not a good answer when you have a phone or other mobile device. You will connect to the internet at some point.
Apple has been working with a company to provide in-store proximity alerts. i.e., when you're in the vicinity of a product they think you'll like, they send you a message of some sort.
Now, if this happens as part of an explicit choice I make--fine. If it happens without my control, and I have no choice, that doesn't work for me.
To a certain extent, I get check-in alerts when I use the Yelp app. Stores with which they have an advertising agreement will put up a coupon of sorts that you can use or discard. In general, as I use the Yelp app, I am agreeing to such advertising. Obviously, they're a business trying to make money. They can't host all the information for free. I've only made use of a few of the deals, such as service discounts with my car dealer.
While I appreciate the notice about things around me, I'm a bit concerned that it will become so rampant that I will start to remove apps in order to control the flow of information, especially if they give me no effective option to shut off alerts. (I've had plenty of apps where you tell it to stop, and it ignores the setting.)
Showing posts with label privacy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label privacy. Show all posts
Friday, May 16, 2014
Friday, April 19, 2013
Internet privacy--don't be naive!
My first thought was to leave the content empty--a blank page.
It's like people on privately-owned forums claiming their national rights to freedom of speech. Seriously, in private forums?
Update 2013.06.09: the NSA et alia have been accused at having their hooks into our personal data via various companies, and that they record information about telephone calls. They don't record the call, supposedly, but just information about who was called and where you were at the time. I would think that they would record the call until the listening software determines that the call has no bearing on anything interesting and, if that's the case, it would delete the recording. You can't rewind a live conversation but you can delete a partial recording.
I read about an announcement that was happening on Labour Day--May 1st. Many people retorted that it wasn't, with one person saying that it was the first Monday in September--the U.S.A.'s Labor Day.
Are people really so naive?
I've been uploading some of my sports photography photos to Instagram for a while and I've been asked a couple of times to photograph someone's games or meets. One student athlete was very insistent and when I told him that it was 2400 miles away, he just went away. Do people really think that everyone is local?
Maybe, I'm being too positive about the thinking bit. Are people thinking at all?
People have so much potential but it takes effort and it seems that the current generations don't want to work so hard in many aspects of life. Do other people wonder as much as I do about the fate of the people in 50 years? I wonder if people will even maintain civilization or if they'll become scavengers since they won't know how to "cook" without a microwave oven and a frozen package.
Update 2013.11.20: I just saw something about Macy's and an app on iOS called Shopkick. It uses the iOS 7 iBeacon technology to help you locate pertinent items. In this case, what Macy's wants you to buy. There was an uproar from a few people on MacRumors about such technology being used to invade their privacy. I can't imagine why. If you don't use the app, nothing will happen. Is there a chance that another app will abuse the technology? Of course!
When you use FourSquare or Yelp (or Checkpoints, if it's still active), you agree to be tracked and your information used. When you check-in somewhere, your friends can see it instantly, if they choose. I'm sure the information is used to provide a profile on you for future advertising. It could also be used for suggestions, as to where you might want to shop or eat, based on your history. Oh, that's like Amazon.com or Newegg watching your browsing of their merchandise and making suggestions. Someone on MacRumors mentioned Amazon.com, as if it was a safer alternative. Seriously, stay awake and aware. Your mind is always the best tool to avoiding disaster.
There is no internet privacy!
If you want privacy from the internet, disconnect!
So, anyway, I'm amused far too much by what people say.
It's like people on privately-owned forums claiming their national rights to freedom of speech. Seriously, in private forums?
Update 2013.06.09: the NSA et alia have been accused at having their hooks into our personal data via various companies, and that they record information about telephone calls. They don't record the call, supposedly, but just information about who was called and where you were at the time. I would think that they would record the call until the listening software determines that the call has no bearing on anything interesting and, if that's the case, it would delete the recording. You can't rewind a live conversation but you can delete a partial recording.
I read about an announcement that was happening on Labour Day--May 1st. Many people retorted that it wasn't, with one person saying that it was the first Monday in September--the U.S.A.'s Labor Day.
Are people really so naive?
I've been uploading some of my sports photography photos to Instagram for a while and I've been asked a couple of times to photograph someone's games or meets. One student athlete was very insistent and when I told him that it was 2400 miles away, he just went away. Do people really think that everyone is local?
Maybe, I'm being too positive about the thinking bit. Are people thinking at all?
People have so much potential but it takes effort and it seems that the current generations don't want to work so hard in many aspects of life. Do other people wonder as much as I do about the fate of the people in 50 years? I wonder if people will even maintain civilization or if they'll become scavengers since they won't know how to "cook" without a microwave oven and a frozen package.
Update 2013.11.20: I just saw something about Macy's and an app on iOS called Shopkick. It uses the iOS 7 iBeacon technology to help you locate pertinent items. In this case, what Macy's wants you to buy. There was an uproar from a few people on MacRumors about such technology being used to invade their privacy. I can't imagine why. If you don't use the app, nothing will happen. Is there a chance that another app will abuse the technology? Of course!
When you use FourSquare or Yelp (or Checkpoints, if it's still active), you agree to be tracked and your information used. When you check-in somewhere, your friends can see it instantly, if they choose. I'm sure the information is used to provide a profile on you for future advertising. It could also be used for suggestions, as to where you might want to shop or eat, based on your history. Oh, that's like Amazon.com or Newegg watching your browsing of their merchandise and making suggestions. Someone on MacRumors mentioned Amazon.com, as if it was a safer alternative. Seriously, stay awake and aware. Your mind is always the best tool to avoiding disaster.
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