What's tracking and keeping tabs on us
- gps in cell phones (although you can turn that off on some phones)
- Traffic cameras
- Cameras on ATMs
- Credit card purchases
- Discount cards in stores
- RFID chips in conference badges (JavaOne this year)
- Spyware in windows (they're getting more and more sneaky about it too)
- RFID chips used to track inventory in some stores (and potentially you after you purchase the item)
- Library borrowing habits
- GPS systems in cars (onstar type, not the 'receiver only help-i'm-lost' type)
- Surveillance and security cameras
- Digital cable (what you're watching!)
- Software registration & verification (XP)
- Warranty registration cards (never send those in!)
I'm sure I missed some.. All that and people volunteer for more!.
Want some anonymity online? Check out Tor.
I'm not doing anything wrong so have nothing to fear! Right! (No, I'm not moving into the woods and writing manifestos.. yet...)
Comments
You dont need gps on cell phones to be tracked. The old cell phone antenna triangulation technique is quite effective. Here in the UK there's a host of companies offering that service to the general public (such as http://www.childlocate.co.uk/).
Each of us has probably been tracked by the telcos from the very moment we got our first mobile phone. And they're worried that the introduction of ID cards will create a Big Brother state...
Posted by: Daniel | August 15, 2005 10:42 PM
* The bugs in your home.
* The guys outside in the van.
* The spy satellites in space.
* The hidden brainwave scanners (that are everywhere!).
* The dude outside your window.
* The man in your closet.
* The critters in the crawlspace.
* The aliens amongst us.
* The aliens hiding behind the moon.
* Your dog.
* Your cat.
* Your 0wn3d computer.
Posted by: Todd | August 15, 2005 10:43 PM
BTW, have you actually used Tor? I heard it was terribly slow and not really useful.
Posted by: Todd | August 15, 2005 10:44 PM
Oh how I love the Tor, let me count the ways.
Well, it is a little slow because it's not taking the shortest route to the destination, but it's nice to know that one less person is tracking your actions online.
Posted by: Mike D. | August 15, 2005 10:51 PM
> Warranty registration cards (never send those in!)
Um, yeah, it's good to be SOL if something stops working.
Posted by: Mike | August 16, 2005 05:50 AM
gotta be careful, tor likes to be banned by places because it can be so easily abused.
Posted by: Gavin | August 16, 2005 06:38 AM
The collected information itself is not problematic. Like most tools, the potential for abuse lies in the user, not the tool itself. Knives are useful, but they can be used to kill; electricity has good uses and bad uses; we could list examples until the end of time. Ultimately it comes down to the morality of human beings. If it weren't for the fact that there are so many scoundrals driven only by their self-interests, we could leave our houses unlocked, and post our bank account numbers on our websites (so we can look them up easily when we forget).
Posted by: Paul | August 16, 2005 08:31 AM
Mike, they cannot refuse warranty if you have proof of purchase. Those registration cards are only a way to collect information.
Posted by: kasia | August 16, 2005 08:50 AM
How about EZPass/FastLane toll transponders?
Posted by: Mary Ann | August 16, 2005 01:56 PM
What about Web cookies? Yummm.
Posted by: Chris Burkhardt | August 19, 2005 06:44 PM
You know .. this is all very well and good, but I'd REALLY like to know where I can get levitra without a perscription. Do you have any idea how HARD it is to find someplace that will sell perscription medication without a perscription?
Posted by: Paul | August 24, 2005 07:46 AM