Privacy’s going the way of the Dinosaur
Before reading this, you might want to read Kelvin’s latest blog post on things losing their essence and meaning. This post was written after I read his, and although its ‘essence’ (bad pun, yes, I know) is somewhat different from what I’ve got to blog about, the central theme is still things losing their meaning.
That and the fact that his post makes for an interesting read. Righto, now would be a good time to go ahead and read it. But then again, I can’t tell if you have diverted from this page to read it or if you were too lazy to open the link and read his post.
Why can’t I? Hell I can do a lot of things on the web, but something that can’t be done is to retrieve the entire browsing (history) record(s) of the user currently on my site. Just can’t be done. And that’s a damn good thing. Because if I could, so could any other website operator. I would know which *ahem* porn sites *ahem* you visited, which banks you bank online with and what site you prefer to visit to get the latest World Cup scores. And you can kiss your privacy goodbye.
Yupp. Privacy. The concept behind the ‘lock’ on the door that was created to keep people out, while letting in those whom you choose. That’s the whole point of privacy isn’t it? So the whole damn world won’t and most importantly can’t keep tabs on you when they really have absolutely no reason to. But no. Technology has to come into the picture.
At about 1105 hours this morning, I was seated at the 105 bus stop (along Serangoon Ave 3) SMSing Jocelyn. Before I kept my Nokia 3100 phone, I noticed something disturbing. The display of my phone showed ‘Serangoon Ave 2′. That’s not exactly accurate, but that’s not my point either.
My point is that M1 knows where I was and who I SMSed. They probably know that I’ve got a Nokia 3100 as well, and they as sure as hell know what time it was. Let us backtrack a little.
How do YOU know where I was and who I was SMSing using which phone at what time this morning? Simple. I just TOLD you. How did M1 know? My phone told them, and no, my lovely phone did not consult me beforehand about letting M1 know. See my point?
On the bus, I sat smack in front of the poster that tells concession pass holders to “Tap in and TAP OUT” (emphasis mine) for a chance to win the latest 1GB iPod Nano. Further down the ad, you find the phrase “Just don’t forget to TAP OUT” (again, emphasis mine).
So now our favourite bus company wants to track where we board the bus and where we alight. Although they have little use for that data themselves, I’m sure advertisers would sell an arm for that kind of information. And if the bus company feels that they need an arm to survive, guess what they’re going to sell?
I await the day where I step out of a bus and get this SMS.
SBS Transit thanks you for traveling with us on bus# 135. Welcome to Parkway Parade. xxx, xxx and xxx (where xxx are people on your phone’s contact list) are also in the vicinity. Its been 9 days since you last had a meal at McDonalds. How about having lunch there? Today’s Promotion: Mc Spicy Meal at just $4.95!
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9 Responses to “Privacy’s going the way of the Dinosaur”
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u’re in the matrix 10101100
other countries (eg. Thailand) also have this GPS-like thingie on their mobile phone systems. it is quite useful if you don’t know where the heck you are!
and as for the tapping thing, it’s probably good practice for when you grow up and are not using a concession pass anymore. if not every trip costs the maximum…
Actually, your cell phone is just displaying the name of the base station it’s connected to.
If you think about it for a moment, it’s pretty obvious that your phone *has* to tell M1 where it is at all times, or otherwise nobody could call you. And yes, they also keep logs of your calls and SMSes, because that’s how they charge you. But rest assured, M1 gets over 100 SMS/second at peak hours and they have better things to do than read them all…
Cheers,
-j.
Al J Potak is right. Its just displaying the base station’s name. I think M1 doesn’t display this info last even when you enable it in your phone.
But its damn useful if you are in a bigger country like Australia. At least you know which area you are in when you are a stranger there.
Mandrake (and hucks): Yupp. I fully agree that its useful overseas. I’m just concerned over what that info could be used for should that data ever be leaked or be sold.
Al J Patok:
As for the base stations, if it is so, then there’s a hell lot more base stations then I thought would be nessary to cover an island as small as Singapore. =)
Jon, Pls get your facts right
1) Cell info display
SGP is the last country to have such location base info display on ur cell phone.
It is meant visitors, not entirely for sgprean….
2) Base station
U need hell lot of base stations to have such good coverage that u are getting.
read http://www.gsmworld.com/index.shtml
Kid, if u are so afraid SBS is tracking u, pay cash or u walk.
If u are so scare M1/Singtel/Starhub tapping ur calls and mobile info, stick to your pay phone and phone card.
If u are so pissingly scare abt privacy infringement, stop using anything that is electronics.
Actually, if you’d studied my post fully, you’ll notice that not even once have I presumed my assumptions to be 100% valid and correct.
To put it simply, my post (and comments) DO NOT contain facts. If it did, the source of such facts would be posted and linked to, something that I remember being taught in GP class back when I was in VJ.
Regarding the number of base stations in SG, would you so happen to possess the direct link to the source that defines your ‘hell lot of base stations’? Those numbers would come in useful for a private project of mine. Many thanks.
In response to “If u are so pissingly scare abt privacy infringement, stop using anything that is electronics.â€
Ah, now that is the challenge isn’t it? We all live in modernised world where technology has become so transparent. I (in all likelihood) couldn’t live without my hand phone, along with a multitude of other electronic items, and yet it is exactly these devices that are playing a part in reducing what privacy we have (left).
*P.S. It’s electronical btw, not “electronicsâ€. Cheers! =)
Actually, it’s just ‘electronic’.
And I think you are paranoidical.
Haha,
My bad. Electronic it is. =)
And yes. One could say that I am paranoid.