The ability, especially of corporations or governments, to collect data that should not be publicly available.
Data Privacy (54)
Find narratives by ethical themes or by technologies.
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- 7 min
- The New York Times
- 2019
The article discusses how to protect and delete DNA data from sites like 23andme. It mentions that many privacy policies for such companies are very brief and do not explain what data is stored and what happens to that data. Specifically, once genetic data is shared digitally with third party companies, it is nearly impossible to definitively erase, and there is an imminent possibility that this data could even be de-anonymized.
- The New York Times
- 2019
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- 7 min
- The New York Times
- 2019
How to Protect Your DNA Data Before and After Taking an at-Home Test
The article discusses how to protect and delete DNA data from sites like 23andme. It mentions that many privacy policies for such companies are very brief and do not explain what data is stored and what happens to that data. Specifically, once genetic data is shared digitally with third party companies, it is nearly impossible to definitively erase, and there is an imminent possibility that this data could even be de-anonymized.
Discussion Prompts:
How might companies find a better way to present privacy policies to ensure that users don’t just simply click “agree” without reading? What concerns come with the loss of control over privacy of genetic data?
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- 7 min
- The New York Times
- 2019
ICE, along with other law enforcement agencies, mined state driver’s license databases using facial recognition tech to track down undocumented immigrants and prosecute more cases.
- The New York Times
- 2019
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- 7 min
- The New York Times
- 2019
ICE Used Facial Recognition to Mine State Driver’s License Database
ICE, along with other law enforcement agencies, mined state driver’s license databases using facial recognition tech to track down undocumented immigrants and prosecute more cases.
Discussion Prompts:
What responsibility do DMVs across the country have to protect the privacy of citizens? What levels of bias (human and machine) are discussed in this story? Given that, can AI ever be unbiased in both functionality and use?
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- 5 min
- The Guardian
- 2019
Biometrics technology will be implemented as a means of gaining access to a residential building in Brooklyn, causing pushback among the tenants who prefer to keep their data private, especially considering the lack of legal regulation surrounding the technology. Specifically, there is growing fear that the facial recognition database could be sold to or abused by law enforcement.
- The Guardian
- 2019
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- 5 min
- The Guardian
- 2019
New York tenants fight as landlords embrace Biometrics cameras
Biometrics technology will be implemented as a means of gaining access to a residential building in Brooklyn, causing pushback among the tenants who prefer to keep their data private, especially considering the lack of legal regulation surrounding the technology. Specifically, there is growing fear that the facial recognition database could be sold to or abused by law enforcement.
Discussion Prompts:
How have biometrics changed the landscape and ideology of the security industry? How does this story fit in with other information or narratives you have read about the use of facial recognition?
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- 5 min
- Science Alert
- 2019
A newly revealed patent application filed by Amazon raises privacy concerns over an upgrade to the virtual assistant Alexa, in which the system records everything a users says in 10-30 second bits to look out for a command.
- Science Alert
- 2019
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- 5 min
- Science Alert
- 2019
Newly Released Amazon Patent Shows Just How Much Creepier Alexa Can Get
A newly revealed patent application filed by Amazon raises privacy concerns over an upgrade to the virtual assistant Alexa, in which the system records everything a users says in 10-30 second bits to look out for a command.
Discussion Prompts:
Is having a virtual assistant constantly listening “Big Brother-like” behavior? Can Amazon and other companies be trusted to not abuse this data? How much transparency would be needed to make this acceptable?
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- 7 min
- Vice
- 2019
Snapchat stores some user data for legitimate purposes but is vague about doing so, and abuses (such as spying) of this data have occurred within the company.
- Vice
- 2019
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- 7 min
- Vice
- 2019
Snapchat Employees Abused Data Access to Spy on Users
Snapchat stores some user data for legitimate purposes but is vague about doing so, and abuses (such as spying) of this data have occurred within the company.
Discussion Prompts:
How does this story contrast the view of Snapchat as a platform where all posts are ephemeral?
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- 7 min
- The New York Times
- 2019
Stanford team develops a neutral “Switzerland-like” alternative for systems that use human language to control computers, smartphones and internet devices in homes and offices. Known as Almond, they hope to make this software free to use on devices with specific focuses on protecting user privacy and enabling greater understanding of natural language.
- The New York Times
- 2019
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- 7 min
- The New York Times
- 2019
Stanford Team Aims at Alexa and Siri With a Privacy-Minded Alternative
Stanford team develops a neutral “Switzerland-like” alternative for systems that use human language to control computers, smartphones and internet devices in homes and offices. Known as Almond, they hope to make this software free to use on devices with specific focuses on protecting user privacy and enabling greater understanding of natural language.
Discussion Prompts:
Had you heard of Almond before reading this narrative? If not, why do you think this was the case? Why might people be more willing to use the less private, corporate voice assistants than a more obscure, decentralized assistant?