Category: technology

For those who wonder why I left Facebook

Apple have started to push developers to provide “health labels” for their applications. There are many concerns around this, including whether Apple will document their applications as transparently.

However, the first updates about some messaging applications have shown up some very stark differences about who collects what information.

App privacy labels show stark contrasts among messaging apps
A link to the 9to5Mac article explaining the labels

The smallest label is for Signal – which effectively stores nothing! This is why many groups who want or need privacy are using Signal to handle communications.

The largest, by contrast and by a VERY LONG way is Facebook Messenger. In effect, it would seem to collect any and all data that it can. WhatsApp, owned by Facebook, is a much smaller list, so would suggest that Facebook Messenger doesn’t need that huge amount of data. Given the history of Facebook with Cambridge Analytica, the collection of so much data doesn’t paint the picture of an organisation concerned with data privacy. Remember the more information that is collected the more it could leak or be used for purposes other than those we would like.

This is why GDPR asked data collectors to focus on why they collect data and to only collect the minimum they require.

For Facebook to need so much data suggests what we all really know, which is that they are wanting to know as much as they can about any and all of us.

I’m an avid science-fiction fan and adore Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series. These are based on the concept of psychohistory, which attempts to determine what humankind will do using a theory – psychohistory – to predict what mass groups will do in the future.

What I see is Facebook trying to emulate that concept. What is a challenge is that psychohistory was a fictional construct. I’m not sure Facebook got the memo that it is fictional and believe they can predict what the masses will do – or worse – that they can use the materials they have gathered to influence. Now that latter aspect is what has many concerned about the long term aims of Facebook, and is what drives me to minimise what I do and how I interact with anything to do with Facebook.

I have no doubt our personal data is needed for some companies to deliver what they do, Facebook doesn’t need mine.

Nor do I trust Facebook to do the right thing with my data if they have it.

More science fiction coming true

When you consider just how much of a part technology has played over the last century, it is an amazing time within which we live.

Check this latest story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-54838982

Now imagine such a tunnel not just across the US, or Russia, or any other similarly huge country. Imagine it crossing the oceans – above would be safer of course – and you then have Harry Harrisons’ A Transatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah right before your eyes.

I love technology.

Facebook is too big

I left Facebook more for fears of how they failed to address privacy than other reasons, though those other factors for which Facebook constantly faces criticism did play a part.

To know that a report which it instigated reinforces that some of the issues society today faces are driven by how Facebook works, only makes me more focused on staying out of its way.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-53333626

This article by the BBC highlights that far from being a saint, Facebook is a sinner of the worst kind. That, as at that time, 990 or more companies are boycotting Facebook advertising because of how it operates, only corroborates that perspective.

Facebook is great for maintaining contact with friends, but there are other ways.

I’d love to find a way to help and connect with others that is about cooperation, not segregation. About consideration for others, not self-aggrandisement. For the whole of society, not individuals or elitist groups – regardless of political affiliation.

Little things make a difference

Apologies, the title might sound like a “consideration” or other emotionally laden topics.

Nope, this one is a technologically based post – about Node-Red.

Watch this video:

Now you might understand why I enjoy working for this frustrating, large and challenging company – it can be extremely inspiring at the same time.

Do you speak to Siri/Alexa/Google?

I often ask Siri to switch on, or off, lights around the house – yes I am that geek.

But I also find I reply back to Siri when a confirmation is made, like when I ask for a piece of music or playlist to be played, Siri will confirm, and I say thank you.

So this new idea, just sounds right up my street. And when you watch the video, you might also be thinking, “what else can this do for me”?

Apple/CMU researchers show dumb devices made smart by HomePod listening

To me, this just feels like a natural next step, and I sort of wonder why no one has done this yet anyway. Then I remember, it’s amazingly tough to make some of the things that we take for granted as natural for us, happen within or by a computer system.

I really want to see this happen sooner than later.