criminal

Week 6 Discussion: n recent years, digital technicians have discovered how data derived from things we do every day on technology can allow for the creation of algorithms that can be used against us. Once a computer figures out how to identify a person based on certain characteristics, those people can be targeted. Whether that targeting is through something as simple as advertising or as extreme as terrorism, this process can be extremely dangerous because the system is not yet perfect and can still easily misidentify people. Some systems still have a hard time reading and recording data from groups other than white people, because that is the only group the data is coming from. Because the identification algorithms use a “needle in the haystack” identification method (where data is broken down continually until the best solution is found) these problems should be fixable, but we should also be aware of the potential dangers behind a flawed algorithm. Using tracking cookies and web beacons allows trackers to access users’ internet habits to customize advertisements and better market goods to consumers. This trend of tracking user movements has become concerning because the technologies used reveal personal information about the user to companies. Users can become more informed about the tracking technologies by visiting “AboutAds.info” or “ghostery.com” to get more information about the trackers and give ways to opt out of tracking technologies. Another problem with technology is that while it can help people in many ways, there are still many different problems with evaluating people through technology. One issue is that technology does not have human emotions. While this is obvious, it can lead to complications throughout different systems. By using technological systems to “fast-track” different welfare programs, these programs actually end up causing more harm than good. Not only can it not evaluate people on a case-by-case basis, it also cannot understand the human complexities of all situations. By relying on systems like these, the government fast-tracks inequality. Instead of actually getting help to people who need it, the systems end up focusing on the mistakes people made in filling out different requests, invaded people’s personal privacy to actually end up getting them the help that they needed, and further stigmatized being impoverished. This raises many questions. Do you personally feel safe knowing that you could be being tracked and identified by a flawed algorithm? Do you know who is tracking you and how? Do you feel that you have a right to know? Do you think that the amount of privacy we are asked to give up is equivalent to the amount of safety we truly gain in return? What if you are falsely identified as a wanted criminal? What would be the ethics behind the false arrest or harm caused to a falsely accused person?https://www.ted.com/talks/gary_kovacs_tracking_the_trackers?language=enThis Ted Talk has great visuals on the amount of tracking that happens to each person every day. Despite the precautions that one may take, there are still companies tracking your every move on the internet. If you would like to learn more about who is tracking you, this Ted Talk centers around the person who created “LightBeam” (formerly Collision) which will track what sites have been gathering information on you. This may give you some insight on how much you are truly tracked.
TEDTED | Gary Kovacs
Gary Kovacs: Tracking our online trackers
As you surf the Web, information is being collected about you. Web tracking is not 100% evil — personal data can make your browsing more efficient; cookies can help your favorite websites stay in business. But, says Gary Kovacs, it’s your right to know what data is being collected about you. He unveils a Firefox add-on, Collusion, to do just that. (Update: Collusion is now called Lightbeam.)