I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I recently purchased an iPhone 6S (fuck the 7 and their dongles) and I can't help feeling that I'm being watched and listened to all the time, not because I'm special, just because the technology exists and people in power are corrupt.
I know I know, sounds like the beginnings of schizophrenia. I don't think it's that. It's more of a reasonable worry about where technology is headed - I carry my phone with me all the time, I rarely turn it off, and I know that it is physically impossible for me to turn off the microphone and/or camera.
I've searched for a way to solve the "Big Brother is watching you" camera problem. I found this:
https://eyepatchcase.com/products/eyepatch-iphone-6-case-cleans-camera-lens-and-covers-your-camera-for-privacy
I emailed these guys and told them I was excited to find their product, but that the reviews said the silicon case caused it to stick in a pocket. I've always been a fan of smooth cases. Nit-picky of me? Yes.
However, even if they produced a case that I liked, that wouldn't solve the microphone problem. Aside from building my own desktop, I have yet to find a PC or phone that allows me to physically disable the camera and/or microphone.
That's why I have come to the conclusion that I want modular technology. I'm sure a few of you remember this idea, PhoneBloks:
https://phonebloks.com/
Seems like Google bought it, then killed it. Gee, I wonder why...
It's really sad because we have the technology to make these things. We could build phones, PCs, and someday we could even make vehicles using modular parts. How cool would that be!? Can you imagine an open API for a mobile phone platform that would allow any company to create modules for your phone? I think it would be really cool.
This is more of a rant than an argument or a question. Just curious what the rest of you guys think.
Some bright inventor or entrepreneur is going to make a boatload of money when they realize all the cool business opportunities in giving the power back to the people.
I understand the "magic" of a closed system, the ability to control for vulnerabilities and style gaffs, but we've been in the "iPhones are amazing!" era for long enough. It's getting old and stale, and a lot of privacy issues are being overlooked big time.
I'm looking forward to a new wave.
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[–] dannym 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago (edited ago)
That's because most likely you are.
And the NSA, GCHQ and BND exist and have those tools for mass surveillance. They don't need probable cause. Since the NSA can't officially do that to Americans (ha! as if they care) they'll just ask their buddies, the GCHQ - those can watch Americans. This has all been documented.
Also, they track their spouses etc.
Don't.
Do.
Yeah, that bothers me, too.
A lot of cases have that problem. I have another one that definitely makes things stick to it - so if I take the phone out it will often pull something else out of my pocket with it.
If nothing else, the Lenovo X200 PC allows you to replace the BIOS so even if the camera/microphone is not physically disabled, no one is there to use it without you seeing it (in principle). It's definitely not for the faint of heart to set it up (better know electrical engineering basics and have some tools like clamps etc). There exists a company, Minifree, that does it for you, though.
As for phones, there's Replicant and FreeCalypso, two projects that are trying to make the privacy situation better. They are not in a finished state, though.
Yes. Not sure how reliable the snaps would be, though. It would probably be a warranty nightmare.
I wish that was true but the vast majority doesn't care. It has always been that way.
For example, look at FreeCalypso, there's like 8 people in the project mailing list - and probably fewer that provide funding. Doesn't scream business opportunity to me.