From: blockedofcourse@foo.invalid   
      
   On 1/14/2026 5:59 PM, Waldek Hebisch wrote:   
   >> A camera in a doorbell, connected to a server owned by a third   
   >> party, can technically perform as intended.  But, now adds   
   >> privacy and security issues where they didn't, before.   
   >>   
   >> Ditto "nanny cams", voice assistants, etc.   
   >>   
   >> All can "work" remarkably well.  But, have serious costs that   
   >> the user may not be aware of.   
   >   
   > Well, that is a feature, not a bug.  Business wants to get   
   > private data.   
      
   That's a matter of perspective   :>   
      
   Being able to read my encrypted messages would likely be a   
   feature from the perspective of whomever is trying to do so;   
   but, a BUG from my perspective!   
      
   >> If manufacturer A makes privacy "guarantees" today, will they be   
   >> honored, tomorrow?  Or, will the "fine print" of a future firmware   
   >> update change those terms knowing most users won't notice what   
   >> they've agreed to?  If the company is sold, will the new owner   
   >> be bound by the terms from the previous owner?   
   >>   
   >> In the US, there is no current legislation protecting your privacy   
   >> in these devices -- even if the result of the intermediary   
   >> being maliciously hacked and YOUR data stolen.  I.e., there is no   
   >> downside to the manufacturer with regard to that aspect.  Yet,   
   >> the manufacturer can monetize that data as he sees fit.   
   >   
   > Yes, business bets they they will be able to monetize data that   
   > they collect.   
      
   But, that works until folks experience a downside of that   
   practice.  Its only a matter of time before there is a   
   serious, UNHIDEABLE security breach that causes people to   
   rethink how much of that data they are silently allowing   
   to leak.   
      
   Imagine someone hacking Amazon's servers and causing EVERY   
   Alexa to start uttering profanities.   
      
   Or, turn on every oven that has its C&C at the manufacturer's   
   site instead of "locally controlled".   
      
   >>> The products in the article clearly represent things that   
   >>> businesses want to sell.  Some people will buy them because   
   >>> features look attractive to then.  Other will buy once there   
   >>> are no alternatives.   
   >>   
   >> And, others will NOT buy them because they don't welcome the features   
   >> and their attendant price increases.   
   >>   
   >> What does the manufacturer do when/if that becomes a real concern?   
   >> A new model with those features removed??   
   >   
   > I am affraid that this will not be a real concern to manufactures.   
      
   Unless people avoid those products and manufacturers NOT   
   engaging in those practices emerge to capture that market.   
      
   > At worst they will charge premium for devices without data   
   > collection capabilities.  And do not forget power of state and   
   > insurers: today insurers offer lower premium for cars that report   
   > to them various driving events, that may be vastly expanded.   
   > Similarly, state can mandate use of equipement that collect   
   > data about you.   
      
   That's a tougher nut to crack -- at least if you KNOWINGLY   
   disclose that to be your intent in such a mandate.  With   
   enough motivation, people will find other ways to get the "services"   
   they want without the "costs" imposed.   
      
   My ISP *could* track my traffic.   
      
   But, would be helpless to see what I do with an unregistered   
   phone accessing the internet from some other "open" location.   
   Does my doctor's office know who I am when I connect to their   
   WiFi and "accept their usage terms"?  They could possibly   
   determine which phone/wireless device was used -- but, could   
   you tie that to me??   
      
   > I think that majority of people that undertand those issues are   
   > against such developement.  But a lot of people do not   
   > understand.  And powerful forces in USA work to make sure   
   > that popular dissatisfaction does not lead to any meaningful   
   > oposition.   
      
   Yes, but all you need -- in this day of influencers -- is for   
   someone with a large following to take up an issue and drag   
   their followers (sheep) along with them.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)