[Update 2020-20-11 22:10 hrs: Added info about Apple suspending its “grading” program and updated links to sources.]
“Siri, violate my privacy…”
You don’t expect your phone or tablet to spy on you.
Last year news broke that Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, sends audio of sexual encounters and other private moments recorded without users’ knowledge to human ‘graders’ for evaluation.
“There have been countless instances of recordings featuring private discussions between doctors and patients, business deals, seemingly criminal dealings, sexual encounters and so on. These recordings are accompanied by user data showing location, contact details, and app data.”
This gross violation of your privacy is done through 3rd-party contractors with little consideration of users’ privacy, said a whistleblower.
Apple suspended the grading program world-wide after news reports broke.
Now we learn that Apple routinely violates your right to privacy another way – by scanning all the images on your Apple device.
Does it matter to you Apple claims it violates your privacy rights “for the children”?
Apple began scanning user images sometime last year, but only published a disclaimer acknowledging the fact this week.
“Apple uses image matching technology to help find and report child exploitation.”
Journalist Chadwick Moore isn’t buying the tech giant’s explanation.
“Of course everyone is for stopping child abuse, and that’s not the issue here. It’s that I’m simply not buying it. I don’t believe that Apple really cares about fighting crime.”
Apple is excessively vague about the scans, too.
“All it [the disclaimer] says is that they can scan all your images, flip through all your data, and look for potentially illegal activity, including child pornography.”
According to RT.com, Apple isn’t the only tech giant willing to violate your right to privacy, either.
Google, Facebook and Twitter do this too.
What do you think?
Is it acceptable for tech companies to violate your privacy without your knowledge or consent? Please let me know in the comments section below.
Am not surprised,
Seems 2 B the norm…
The accidentle awakening now begins…
The truth shall set U free…
tricksofthestrade
Who is ???
Justin Trudeau
Bill Gates
Steve jobs
Mark Zuckerberg
Prince Charles
Kate Middleton
Michelle Obama
Justin bieber
Etc etc etc
Chris:
Good article on an important [vital?] topic.
Keep up your good work.
Richard A. Fritze
Thanks Richard.
The thing is few care about this. Saying something along those lines that since I’m not doing anything illegal I shouldn’t worry about me being spied on.
Where are the officials imposing hefty fines on those tech giants? Why do they get away with “we’re simply a platform” kind of nonsense? The answer is that governments are involved and it’s beneficial to them.
It’s not only criminal gov-t agencies having a feast with your data but they sell it to private bidders as well, as long as the bid is high enough.
To find out how to protect yourself from those crooks watch “The Hated One”, search for “How to protect your online privacy in 2019 | Tutorial”. Basically open source software and hardware is the answer.