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How Wearable Tech Could Spark A New Privacy Revolution
Posted Sep 12, 2015 by Larry Alton (@LarryAlton3)
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Larry AltonCrunch Network Contributor
Larry Alton is an independent business consultant specializing in
social media trends, business and entrepreneurship.
More posts by this contributor:
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How to join the network
Fears over privacy are nothing new. As users began to see the sheer
availability of information online, and the amount of personal data
being seen and used by tech companies, they became rightly concerned
over how much information would be available to companies and
individuals, and how that information would be used. The increasing
stream of news about the scope and intensity of government-backed
surveillance programs has only added to the paranoia.
As we enter a new era of technology marked by wearable devices like the
Apple Watch and Google Glass, those fears — which have been simmering
in the minds of consumers for years — may finally begin to boil over.
The Problem With Apps
When it comes to user privacy, there are two kinds of apps to worry
about. The first kind is designed to gather information about a user.
For example, social media apps go out of their way to draw as much
information about their users as possible. This is advantageous for
both users and companies — users get more involved with their networks,
and companies get more information to sell to advertisers.
However, this can be concerning to users who do not wish their
information to be sold or to be publicly available. The same is true
for tracking-style apps like Xora, an app whose deletion prompted the
recent firing of an employee who resented the idea of being tracked
24/7.
The second kind may seem counterintuitive: apps dedicated to preserving
user privacy. Snapchat, an app supposedly dedicated to anonymity and
user-data protection, was recently the victim of multiple information
leaks. These types of apps are dangerous because they lull users into a
sometimes-false sense of security, prompting them to allow more of
their information to be used without realizing the finer details of
each company’s unique privacy policy.
But the real problem with apps is in their nature. Because they’re
installed on a device, and often running in the background, they can
constantly draw in new information about a user. Compare this to a few
generations back, when the Internet could only be accessed through a
hard-wired machine for specific, designated periods of time.
Wearable devices are about to provoke a new revolution in user
privacy.
Wearable devices exaggerate these problems in two ways. First, they’re
increasing the popularity of apps over traditional web browsing
experiences. Because wearable devices have smaller screens and more
intuitive interfaces, users will begin relying on apps over any other
type of function or service.
Second, they’re being used in real-time. Rather than relying on a
stationary desktop device or occasionally checking in on a
previous-generation mobile device, wearable devices are worn and used
on the go. This means greater volumes of streaming information and
fewer stopgaps for the end user.
Fears Already Manifesting
Wearable devices are already starting to worry some experts about the
security of private user data. Every generation of technology opens the
door to new possibilities, but also opens the door to new
vulnerabilities. Security professionals argue that the Apple Watch is a
relatively secure device, at least compared to comparable wearable
devices currently on the market — but the potential vulnerabilities are
still a major unknown.
The Chinese Army has already taken measures to ban the use of the Apple
Watch entirely. While China’s acts of censorship and routine
banishments of Western technologies aren’t exactly new, their
take-no-chances stance reflects a very real, logical concern.
What This Means For The Future Of Users
As more people become aware of the privacy threats marked by wearable
devices, there could be a very significant leap forward in security and
user privacy in tech companies. Responding to public concerns, app
developers can make greater efforts to secure their apps and clearly
explain their privacy policies. Device makers like Apple and Google can
go on record about the potential vulnerabilities of their devices and
inform the public about the best ways to protect themselves.
Increased regulations mean decreased liberties.
Perhaps most importantly, government organizations can step in to
create some much-needed regulations about user privacy and corporate
privacy policies. Already, the European Union is stepping in to protect
user privacy concerns as they relate to Google’s search engine and core
products — the next step would be formalizing those regulations across
the board for any devices and technologies, and institute those
regulations in countries throughout the world.
The trade-off is, of course, that increased regulations mean decreased
liberties — both for individuals and corporations. While some will push
for strict regulations and tighter privacy and security, others will
maintain that personal freedoms are more important than a fleeting idea
of safety.
What’s important here is not where the issue will settle, but the fact
that the issue will soon be up for debate. Regardless of where these
regulations and new approaches to privacy land, wearable devices are
about to provoke a new revolution in user privacy.
Featured Image: Josh hallett/Flickr UNDER A CC BY 2.0 LICENSE
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* Apple Watch
+ Description Apple's smart watch.
+ Website http://www.apple.com/watch/
+ Full profile for Apple Watch
* Google Glass
+ Description Google Glass is a type of wearable technology with
an optical head-mounted display.
+ Website http://www.google.com/glass/start
+ Full profile for Google Glass
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