The Choice

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Sam took the Fitbit and immediately received a 20% discount on his health insurance. But, something strange also happened... Later that year, during performance evaluation, Sam's manager suggested that he limit the time spent at the company's gym facility to an hour lunch-break. "Hmm... that was weird.", Sam thought. Speaking to a colleague, Sam learned that his company used the same data recorded by the Fitbit bracelets to study employees’ activities, track their locations, and time allocated to each activity during work hours, as part of a program to improve office productivity and efficiency. As Sam was thinking about returning the Fitbit, he went home and realized [[his home has been broken into|Safety Concern]]. <img src="https://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/media/img/mt/2018/08/Surveillance_2/lead_720_405.jpg?mod=1535561192" alt="employees img">

Sam decided not to take the free Fitbit bracelet and turned down the insurance discount offer. Sam didn't want his activity information to be stored and potentially used for unwanted purposes. Sam continued to pay a higher health insurance rate, and maintained an active, healthy lifestyle regardless. Sam came home from work later that week, and found [[his home has been broken into|Safety Concern]]. <img src="https://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/media/img/mt/2018/08/Surveillance_2/lead_720_405.jpg?mod=1535561192" alt="employees img">

That was not the first break-in in the neighborhood this month. Social crime in the city has been increasing significantly. There've also been terrorist attacks in major cities around the world. As a result, the government has been pushing for more recording of phone calls & electronic communications so that social crimes can easily be identified or avoided entirely. They also want to use sensors, advanced computer vision and recognition algorithms for crime detection across cities in the country. The government asked the citizens for support of the program. Sam should [[vote for this program]]? or [[not vote for this program]]? <img src="https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/police-surveillance-cameras-ny-img.jpg" alt="mass surveillance">

The mass surveillance program has now been implemented for over a year. Social crime rate reduced significantly across country. However... people have been complaining about over-collection of communication content of non-target citizens. Yet, the government continues to stand by its commitment to national security and social safety. A few weeks later, Sam read in a local article about local government's new initiative to [[improve residents' park and recreation experience in local neighborhoods|Park & Recreation Program]]. <img src="https://www.abc.net.au/news/image/5056582-3x2-940x627.jpg" alt="NSA">

Local county was considering the installation of 2-3 cameras inside each local park to help improve park experience. The program would include initiatives such as: improving park security, deciding whether lawn areas need more regular maintainance, or whether the ice skating rink needs expansion for more people to enjoy during winter holiday etc. Sam and other residents in the neighborhood tried to decide whether they should vote for [[installing the cameras]] or [[not installing the cameras]]. <img src="https://mammothsurveillance.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/stamford-boosts-security-in-parks-1024x675.jpg" alt="park camera">

The cameras have now been installed in the parks for almost a year. Since then, in addition to improved park maintenance and security, there've also been more beautiful landcaping, expanded padded playground with more swings and other outdoor game installations for children. That weekend, Sam met up with his buddy, Ben, for drinks. Ben told Sam about playing with a commercial facial recognition service called Rekognition at his work. Ben ran the park cameras' footage (available publicly) through the application and it returned a facial identification of Sam in the park. Sam wasn't sure how to feel about what Ben just told him. On the way home, Sam was going to [[grab a coffee]]. <img src="https://d2eehagpk5cl65.cloudfront.net/img/c800x450-w800-q80/uploads/2019/04/FacialRecognitionPixinooDreamstime-800x450.jpg" alt="facial rec">

Local county decided not to install the cameras due to a lack of community's support. The local parks didn't get any better maintenance, let alone enhancement. Sam had a thought that maybe installing the cameras would have greatly improved the community's park experience. Later that day, Sam stopped at a coffee shop to [[grab a coffee]]. <img src="https://d2eehagpk5cl65.cloudfront.net/img/c800x450-w800-q80/uploads/2019/04/FacialRecognitionPixinooDreamstime-800x450.jpg" alt="facial rec">

Sam arrived at a nearby Starbucks. The order line was long. While waiting for his turn to order, Sam thought of [[connecting to the coffee shop internet]] or [[using his data instead]] to check social media. <img src="https://wall4stickers.com/wp-content/uploads/imported/4/Free-WIFI-Cup-Window-Sign-Vinyl-Sticker-Graphics-Cafe-Shop-Salon-Bar-Restaurant-252423834234.jpg" alt="coffeeshop wifi">

Sam connected to the Starbucks' network. He opened Facebook and saw a bunch of new car brand ads showing up on his page. Sam recalled checking out the recently released Tesla model on their website. Sam was a bit annoyed by how Facebook was so quick at sending ads related to his search. He knew he could change his Facebook Settings so that it wouldn't be able to target his profile as closely. Sam decided to [[change the Facebook Settings]] or [[NOT change Facebook Settings]]. <img src="https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/facebook-privacy.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=618&h=410&crop=1" alt="facebook">

Sam decided to use his own data for faster connection. He opened Facebook and saw a bunch of new ads showing up on his home page, full of car brands. He recalled looking up the new Teslas model 3 that just came out a couple days ago. Sam was just checking it out but had no intent to buy one. Sam felt a bit annoyed with how Facebook has been so quick with sending ads related to his searches. Sam knew he could change his Facebook Settings so that it wouldn't be able to target his profile as closely. Sam decided to [[change the Facebook Settings]] or [[NOT change Facebook Settings]]. <img src="https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/facebook-privacy.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=618&h=410&crop=1" alt="facebook">

Sam changed Facebook Settings so that it could no longer target his online contents for advertisement. He felt less monitored and tracked. He also simply didn't trust what else Facebook could be doing with his personal data. A few weeks later, Sam continued to see car brand ads poping up; except this time, the brands were far less relevant to his favorites. A couple of months passed; the pop-ups then became random and had little to zero relevance to what he was interested in... As Sam was debating on whether to turn Facebook Settings for target ads back on, he made a stop at his [[favorite store]] on the way home. <img src="https://assets.entrepreneur.com/content/3x2/2000/1412714224-local-businesses-facebook-now-offers-stalkerish-ads-target-nearby-customers.jpg?width=700&crop=2:1" alt="facebook likes">

Sam didn't change his Facebook Settings. Sam thought about how being tracked for target ads can be useful at times. Sam found new products via these ads in the past. In fact, a few of his favorite tech toys did come from Facebook ads. As Sam was feeling a little better about being tracked for target ads by Facebook, he made a stop at his [[favorite store]] on the way home. <img src="https://assets.entrepreneur.com/content/3x2/2000/1412714224-local-businesses-facebook-now-offers-stalkerish-ads-target-nearby-customers.jpg?width=700&crop=2:1" alt="facebook likes">

Sam stopped at his favorite Gentlemen's Gear store. He found it fun to walk and look around the store. A few weeks later, Sam saw ads for items he was checking out at the Gentlemen's Gear poping up on websites he visited. Sam talked to Ben. Ben asked if Sam had connected to the store wifi, which Sam couldn't remember. It turned out, that was likely how the store was able to track Ben's activities as a customer. That made Sam think about which other free wifi networks he had connected to... As Sam walked passed an Equinyx Gym location, he noticed all the [[Equinyx Gym ads he's been seeing on his Instagram|Equinyx]]. <img src="https://insideoutdoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IP-Marketplace-image-640x360.jpg" alt="store tracking">

Sam decided to look through his phone apps and chose to leave location tracking on only for those absolutely in need, such as GPS app, or subway navigation app. Later that weekend, Sam got a call from his credit card company to [[verify purchases he didn't make|DNS Spoofing]]. <img src="https://koenig-media.raywenderlich.com/uploads/2017/06/run-11.png" alt="phone location tracking">

Sam decided to turn off all location tracking because he didn't feel comfortable being "tracked" by third-party companies. But later, Sam found it inconvenient every time he needed to turn location tracking back on for use of certain app, such as Google Map. Later that weekend, Sam got a call from his credit card company to [[verify purchases he didn't make|DNS Spoofing]]. <img src="https://koenig-media.raywenderlich.com/uploads/2017/06/run-11.png" alt="phone location tracking">

Today, Sam's company announced the purchase of over 1000 Fitbit bracelets, offering to all employees for free, as part of the company's new wellness program to promote active lifestyles. The data on employees’ active lifestyle is captured by the bracelets and then analyzed by the company's health insurance provider. Based on the results, highly active employees would be rewarded 20% lower health insurance rates. Sam is an active person and would definitely qualify for the discount if taking the bracelet. Sam should [[take the free Fitbit]] or [[pass it up]]? <img src="https://mhealthintelligence.com/images/site/article_headers/_normal/2017-01-11-mobile-health-technology.gif" alt="fitbit tracking">

The new surveillance program didn't get implemented due to lack of citizens' support. Social crimes and terrorist attacks continued to rise. Not only so, later that year, a disease outbreak occurred in many major cities across the country. Experts said, the mass surveillance program would have been able to help track movements and actions of those who fell ill and made it much easier to identify the causes and pathology of diseases. Unfortunately, it was too late. Many were killed. A few weeks later, Sam read in a local article about local government's new initiative to [[improve residents' park and recreation experience in local neighborhood|Park & Recreation Program]]. <img src="https://www.abc.net.au/news/image/5056582-3x2-940x627.jpg" alt="NSA">

Sam realized his credit card information has been stolen, along with other personal information like login information to certain websites. Sam was really confused. A few months later, Sam found out how his information was stolen... Remember how often Sam would connect to free wifi networks at coffee shops or stores? Well... any of those networks, [despite how it might look familiar like "Starbucks wifi - insecured network"], can actually be a trap. Such "fake" network can "pretend" to be your regular network, but it could be someone trying to hack into your device while you're connectd to it (check out WiFi Pineapple). Among other reasons, one could be using such account to steal personal information. <img src="https://www.troyhunt.com/content/images/2016/02/31233122are-you-my-network3.jpg" slt="wifi pineapple"> "AAAAHHHHHHHHH.....!!!!" At this point, Sam is frustrated. He feels like he's stuck in this never-ending [[spider web of surveillance and data collection]]. <img src="https://susanstiffelman.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Screen-Shot-2015-05-15-at-12.42.46-PM.png" alt="angry">

... The Choice is open-ended, but hopefully it has shared various instances and scenarios of surveillance and data collection that Sam, or any of us might have encountered in daily life. Too much surveillance can lead to privacy violations, but too little can lead to other concerns such as social order and public safety. Without a doubt, Surveillance & Internet of Things are the present and the future we all live in. Every choice we make as we interact with networked devices means taking a position on the tradeoff between: Privacy and Security, Convenience and Surveillance Capitalism, Technology Benefits and Personal Data Collection. But, what if we could have it both ways? What if we can make informed choices as we navigate the world of surveillance? It is totally possible. But first, let's educate ourselves and others about Surveillance and Data Collection because as you can see, there's really no right or wrong choice, but... there are well-informed choices. THE END.

Welcome to THE CHOICE. The Choice tells the story of Sam as he navigates his choices in the age of surveillance. Sam is going to need your help, so get ready to make your recommendations. -------------------- Start with [[The Wellness Program]] at Sam's workplace... <img src="https://www.narconon.org/FURL/imagecache/cropfit@w=710/blob/images/articles/3/0/306d2adf-0545-11e8-8600-42010a80021f/pros-cons.jpg" alt="choice">

Sam normally uses the gym facility at work, so he wonders how Equinyx Gym got his information. Sam later came across an article about location data being tracked on phone apps and sold to businesses to target customers. Sam immediately got on his phone and saw his location tracking turned on. Sam was thinking whether to [[leave location tracking on]] or [[turn location tracking off]]. <img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MR9VMZuXMeY/TKzoGzNh1cI/AAAAAAAAAVk/4cZJM9HSwm0/s1600/latsitefinal1.jpeg" alt="location tracking">