Digital Ethics

“The larger point is that it’s unaccountable and opaque, and Apple doesn’t really care.”

Don’t just give away your privacy to the likes of Google and Facebook – protect it, or you disempower us all

Computer scientists have developed an algorithm that can pick out almost any American in databases supposedly stripped of personal information.

The tech company’s deal with Ascension is part of a push to use artificial intelligence to aid health services.

Leaked Facebook documents. very interesing stuff.On developing a 'Profile Accuracy llQuiz’ “Our initial feedback is that this flow suggests that we are trying to trick users into providing data about their friends, but legal and PR have signed off on this." pic.twitter.com/VENdZAEJR7— Privacy Matters (@PrivacyMatters) November 11, 2019

Facebook was "working with Cisco and other manufacturers to collect insights about users whose mobile devices are detected by in-store wifi".(the whole table is from an email dated December 11, 2013) pic.twitter.com/qx7A7sLYsj— Wolfie Christl (@WolfieChristl) November 11, 2019

When you see a home security camera priced under $50, it’s easy to assume it’s probably a stripped down model with few of the advanced features available in those high-end systems.However, the Blurams Dome Pro is a rare exception to that rule. In fact, you usually can’t find it under $50, but with this limited time offer, TNW Deals is knocking $10 off the regular price, bringing your cost down to only $49.99.

Big tech isn’t interested in a better world, just a more profitable one. We need to break its stranglehold on us, says Guardian US columnist Rebecca Solnit

But the patient records system, called Epic, has a few shortcomings of its own, including a voice that amplifies the insecurities that come with being a doctor.

In summer 2019, FPF's education privacy project held a special webinar series with privacy experts outside of education with lessons that can be applied to student privacy. The third webinar topic was facial recognition, with some discussion of how this technology in schools and the privacy issues that are raised. The webinar featured Evan Selinger, Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the Rochester Institute of Technology; and Brenda Leong, a Senior Counsel at FPF working on biometrics and AI. The webinar was held on August 6, 2019.

'Washington Post' tech columnist Geoffrey Fowler talks about how web browsers, phone apps, and smart speakers are tracking users, even when they're asleep. Fowler listened to four years' worth of audio that Amazon had captured and stored from his Alexa smart speaker — and was surprised by what he found.Soraya Nadia McDonald reviews the final season of Netflix's 'Orange is the New Black,' set in a immigration detention center.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate HireVue, an AI tool that helps companies figure out which workers to hire.

Just heard about a student who got a free report from 23&me, contingent on participation in a months-long survey about their clinical depression.This is creepy AF that they're doing research privately, without ethical oversight.Oh and 23&me is basically a google operation.— Terry McGlynn (@hormiga) November 7, 2019

For years, Mark Zuckerberg was perceived in Silicon Valley as a bold and erudite leader who could outmaneuver anyone. Now the tables have turned—but not for the reasons you might think.

Wanted posters, the distracted boyfriend meme, #ThugThursday. Police departments have discovered how Facebook makes negative or extreme content go viral. Experts say it ruins people’s trust in cops.

An explosive new study reveals that political misinformation is running rampant on Facebook as the 2020 election approaches. In the first ten months of 2019, "[p]olitically relevant disinformation was found to have reached over 158 million estimated views, enough to reach every reported registered voter in the US at least once," according to the report.

Hello from 20 Minutes into the Future. This week’s letter is 901 words, a 3 1/2 minute read. Happy Black History Month. Tonight we’ll be taking a critical look at inclusion in big tech. What's working, what's not working, and what could be next. Let's start with a clarifying quote:

Short-term rental guests expect a modicum of privacy when they message hosts or stay in an apartment or vacation rental booked through Airbnb or Expedia's Facebook shut down Airbnb Guests Blacklist. Facebook is investigating Airbnb Host Community with an eye toward removing any postings that violate Facebook's policies.

An interview with this specialist in human rights, technology and freedom of expression to discuss how today’s societies are advancing to the drumbeat of “digital colonialism”.

Facial recognition: A solution in search of a problem?

The company can't avoid damaging democracy.

What won’t the company do to earn a profit?

Many of the drones are made in China or use Chinese parts

Apple Watch and HomePod have the highest rate of inadvertent recordings, a whistleblower says.

You know those “anonymous surveys” you may have filled in? They don’t tell anyone it was you. Or do they?

.@kimgoodwin showing just how possible it would be for Facebook to measure better things, & be better, if they chose to #CanUX pic.twitter.com/wUCVZNfkKK— Cyd Harrell (@cydharrell) November 2, 2019

An analysis of Alexa Answers data conducted by VentureBeat shows that questionable questions and answers are accepted and served to Alexa users.

Thread: A bipartisan group of Senators led by @johnthune has introduced the Filter Bubble Transparency Act. https://t.co/25mvFWhK8o Here’s why people like @shoshanazuboff and me support it: 1/10— Eli Pariser (@elipariser) November 1, 2019