By B.N. Frank
Companies collecting customers’ personal data via “Surveillance Capitalism” seems to be the new depressing normal. Of course, the more we learn about this – the more depressing it is. Many people are still not aware though of exactly how much personal data is being collected by their devices as well as other technology installed in communities in the U.S. and worldwide. Much has been reported about this and continues to be reported – recently by Mercola.com:
Two scholars who analyzed the Google Nest thermostat contract concluded that a consumer who is even a little bit vigilant about how their consumption data is being used would have to review 1,000 privacy contracts before installing a single thermostat in their home.
Modern cars are also being equipped with multiple cameras that feed Big Data. As noted in the film, the average new car has 15 cameras, and if you have access to the data of a mere 1% of all cars, you have “knowledge of everything happening in the world.”
Of course, those cameras are sold to you as being integral to novel safety features, but you’re paying for this added safety with your privacy, and the privacy of everyone around you.
Pandemic Measures Are Rapidly Eroding Privacy
The current coronavirus pandemic is also using “safety” as a means to dismantle personal privacy. As reported by The New York Times, March 23, 2020:
The pandemic is now being used as an excuse for more surveillance and data collection (see 1, 2). The depressing thing is – more surveillance and data collection was actually planned even before the pandemic.
Activist Post Recommended Book: The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
Electric, gas, and water “Smart” Meters are also a form of “Surveillance Capitalism.” They collect customer usage data 24/7. Since tens of millions have been installed on homes and throughout communities worldwide, they’ve probably been installed on your home and throughout your community too. Utility companies want customer data so they can analyze it and try to sell their customers additional products and services. They also want customer data so they can sell to 3rd parties that will also try to sell customers additional products and services. It’s all very yucky. Even worse – these meters are so expensive and problematic (this includes fires and explosions) that utility customers and some elected officials have opposed their installation since they started being “rolled out” years ago. Opposition to these horrible meters continues to increase worldwide (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).
Activist Post reports regularly about invasive and unsafe technology. For more information visit our archives.
Image: Pixabay
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