General > General Technical Chat
Big Brother air monitoring.
Halcyon:
I get it but insurers and big companies aren't ones to make assumptions about people's policy based on some sketchy data. If your policy does, maybe it's time to switch insurers. Also, I'm not sure what it's like in other parts of the world, but there are strict rules about fairness in contracts and codes of conduct in Australia that all insurers follow. They can't just do whatever they want because they are greedy for money. There is oversight and guidelines.
I'm with Qantas insurance, and even with the data they collect from their app specifically says it has no bearing and is not fed back to the insurance since of things (yes, I read the privacy policy and product disclosure statement).
Whilst insurers deal with "risk", data from an air purifier isn't one of them, at least not without your consent and they certainly wouldn't be drawing the nexus between "this air is filthy" to "this person smokes".
Notwithstanding any of this, I always say, don't buy household products that require the internet to perform its core function. Fridges, microwaves, blenders, air conditioners, vacuums, washers and dryers don't need the internet. If they do, they're a shit product.
paulca:
--- Quote from: Halcyon on April 22, 2024, 08:49:08 am ---Notwithstanding any of this, I always say, don't buy household products that require the internet to perform its core function. Fridges, microwaves, blenders, air conditioners, vacuums, washers and dryers don't need the internet. If they do, they're a shit product.
--- End quote ---
In some limited cases I can see justifiable internet usage for otherwise "dumb" devices.
From your list, microwaves would be on that list. The reason is simply that nobody knows how to cook with a microwave without specific instructions for nearly every single product. Most instructions printed on packets are void of specific information about the microwave type, design or power handling. Most instructions printed by the microwave manufacturer are vague and do not apply directly to any product/substance you might microwave.
So the ability to scan a bar-code or take a picture of what you are microwaving and having some AI come up with as close to ideal cooking sequence, varying power levels, auto standing time or even utilising a built in halogen grill to brown etc. etc. When new products get added to the data base everyone benefits.
I am all for this. However. The current global adherence to "ethics", "privacy" and "personal security" are far, far, far behind the actual technological abilities. Like NASA found to their detrement and 7 people lost their lives, ignoring the engineering principle of "If it can happen, it eventually will happen", the way data is used by services providing the above will be unethical, privacy invasive and result in a genuine loss of future security for the individual owner.
If money can be made now or later and if the laws are not CONCRETE and well established, they will be exploited and it will be nearly impossible to remove it all later.
The more information you currently "radiate" out there and trust me it is radiating, the more you are training the world to impersonate you, attack you, disregard you, impair you. All just so your microwave pizza is cooked better!.
So, I would be very interested in a microwave with an local API I can use to drive an ethical, free, open source version of the above so that each individual can retain control of their own data.
For the vast majority of individuals their choice is basically complete acceptance or complete abstinence of partaking in the "smart world". I gather about 95% have for for complete acceptance and most just don't even blink before ticking ACCEPT ALL.
The only plus side is, it's going to suck for so, so many people that nobody is going to care about "surviving" unscathed. In fact it is very likely to turn against those who's lives are not publicly open on platforms. The larger society will become afraid of the reclusive and pitchforks and town square stonings will ensue (stretching the analogy). <- inspired by Ben Elton's Blind Faith novel.
Stray Electron:
--- Quote from: paulca on April 22, 2024, 08:16:10 am ---
--- Quote from: Halcyon on April 22, 2024, 07:30:21 am ---Dyson is the same, but I'm not too concerned. I don't smoke so it would be difficult to establish anything more than how dusty (or not) my house is.
Of course things like VoCs can be from multiple sources; Cleaning products, cologne/perfume, air fresheners etc...
--- End quote ---
Cooking steak sets off the PM sensor and my extractor in the office. I'm not "fixing it". The extractor removed the smell of steak from the office before it finisihed and shut off.
However, this highlights a point with this kind of implied surveillance. Accuracy. If you believe all spikes in PM are from smoking, you could accuse someone of smoking when they don't smoke at all.
For example, if one of you lives in an apartment where the landlord wishes to state "No Smoking" and his PM and VoC sensors go off every day multiple time... because you were soldering... you get kicked out for smoking.
Worse when they sell that data to your insurance company, your health insurance doubles because they now think you are a smoker.
--- End quote ---
False positives and false negatives are already a problem, particularly in mandatory drug testing. Fortunately, or Un-fortunately, most people that are falsely detected have no legal right to challenge the results and rarely have the money to do so. I personally know of a local police detective that got a false positive on a drug test and it RUINED his career. Even after he was tested and cleared by the FBI; and after they were able to prove that the original testing company had an error rate of nearly 40%.
Mandatory testing or any testing without your prior knowledge and consent isn't as simple as most people think and may have serious implications FAR beyond what you ever imagined.
PlainName:
--- Quote ---If your policy does, maybe it's time to switch insurers.
--- End quote ---
That's OK until they all start doing it because they see how beneficial it is to the initial one, and that there's no pushback (since anyone can 'switch insurers', no-one creates a stick about it).
paulca:
Louis Rossman has been ranting about this a lot recently, mostly in regards to modern cars.
Almost every new car these days contains some form of online "phone home" data system. The manufacturers claim it is to detect early wear and tear and help the owner identify faults before they occur. Yaddayadda.
There have however already been several cases of the data being used for other purposes. Louis tells the full story of the researchers who were able to detect people "shagging" in the back seat ... for example.
I am not quite sure on the insurance position, but I know there are insurance companies who are piloting "self installed black boxes" into any car. To get cheaper insurance they sign a contract stating they will not trigger certain tolerances on the box. Such as speeding, harsh acceleration or braking.
That data is also available from the vehicle owners after you first rent it... oh, I mean buy it.... no... thats not right either.
This is even before we bring AI hallucinations into the picture.
Other insurance "devices" are just a advertising scam. Aviva Drive app. I installed it on my phone and went paragliding. It said my driving was very smooth and gentle. Nothing about my "car" going vertical at 2m/s. Nothing about it appeared to depart and return to the top of a mountain or anything, just offered me discount insurance.
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