Canadians File Class Action Lawsuit Against Facebook For Interception Of Private Messages
by Terry Wilson
Canadian Awareness Network
Apr 11, 2014
Facebook is facing a class-action lawsuit in Canada over its alleged interception of private message of users of the social network.
The lawsuit in the Ontario Superior Court alleges that URLs (uniform resource locators) in the private messages were “harvested” by Facebook in violation of its users’ privacy, without their knowledge or consent, Rochon Genova, the law firm representing the users, said Wednesday.
Facebook did not disclose to users that their private messages would be intercepted and scanned, and the contents of those messages treated as “likes” for third-party sites through the social plug-in function, according to the law firm.
The complaint is without merit and we will continue to defend ourselves vigorously, a spokeswoman for the social networking company said via email.
The company is already facing similar lawsuits in the U.S. over its alleged interception and scanning of the content of private messages.
Citing research by Swiss information security firm High-Tech Bridge and others, Facebook users Matthew Campbell and Michael Hurley filed in December a suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on behalf of all Facebook users in the U.S. who have sent or received private Facebook messages that included a URL in the content of the message.
High-Tech Bridge wrote in August last year that Facebook was one of the Web services it tested that was caught scanning URLs despite such activity remaining undisclosed to the user, according to the complaint.
Facebook mined user data and profited by sharing the data with third parties such as advertisers, marketers, and other data aggregators, despite having made representations that “reflect the promise that only the sender and the recipient or recipients will be privy to the private message’s content, to the exclusion of any other party, including Facebook,” the complaint added.
The lawsuit is proposed to be consolidated with a similar one filed in January in the Northern District of California by another Facebook user David Shadpour. If there was a URL in the private message, Facebook searched the website identified in the URL for purposes such as data mining and user profiling, according to Shadpour’s complaint.
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VIDEO — “Snoopy” Drone That Can Hack Your Smart Phone
by Terry Wilson
Canadian Awareness Network
Apr 11, 2014
A London based company named Sensepoint security researchers have developed a drone called ‘Snoopy’. The drone can hack into a person’s smart phone by “spoofing” a wifi signal.
The best way to protect yourself from hackers and/or government agencies (police use similar handheld devices) who are utilizing this type of software, is to keep wifi on your phone turned off until necessary.
Cows Are Getting Plugged Into The Internet of Things
by Heather Callaghan
Activist Post
Apr 4, 2014
Photo: by hbomb
The Internet of Things envisions a world where all things are “smartened” and connected to the Internet, always broadcasting real-time updates. Usually people think of appliances, which for me always conjures images of The Brave Little Toaster.
Did you ever carry this idea out into living things? Plants, then animals…then humans? Well, technology from the Internet of Things has definitely crept into the world of plants and is now making its way toward animals. Large-scale farms are particularly eager to use new technical applications – anything to help stay ahead of the changing food system and a shuttering economy.
So now plugged into the Internet of Things, we’ve got appliances, electrical meters, industrial equipment, devices for plants, and…cows. Yes, more and more cattle are connecting through their collars which emit real-time updates about their heat cycles.
The special Wi-Fi connected collar is called the Silent Herdsman, originating from Glasgow, Scotland. Not only does it monitor, but also uses artificial intelligence software to determine when Ms. Moo is in heat. There’s a similar product actually called the MooMonitor but requires more interpretation from the farmer.
In recent years a LOT of thought and theories have gone into methods for the most milk production for the farmer’s buck. This could be anything from waterbeds to relieve stress to biotech help with fertilization to the above-mentioned devices which are intended to capture the exact moment a mother cow can get pregnant again after having just birthed a baby calf.
To a large-scale farmer, it is apparently worth it, because one missed cycle means 5 more gallons of milk per day that could have been sold, to the tune of $315 per cycle. All of these cows are artificially inseminated – one failed attempt, during a tiny window of time that farmers believe happens during the night – is a high price.
Battery power is also no longer a concern. The Silent Herdsman lasts for three years and has actually synced the cow’s personal data to the software whenever it enters into the receiving area, be it a designated field or barn.
Source:
http://singularityhub.com/2014/04/03/why-farmers-are-connecting-their-cows-to-the-internet/
Also read:
- Domestic “Internet of Things” Begins to Merge With The Industrial Smart Grid
- AT&T and IBM Partner to Connect The Internet of Things
- “Internet Of Things” One Step Closer With New Tech
Recent posts by Heather Callaghan:
Microsoft Windows Enters The Internet of Things Surveillance Matrix
by Kevin Samson
Activist Post
Apr 2, 2014
Following other behemoth tech companies IBM, AT&T and Google, Microsoft has finally come along to state their intentions for promoting The Internet of Things.
Where Google sees adding robotic intelligence to every home, and the IBM/AT&T global partnership is to ensure that no home, appliance, or gadget is left behind, Microsoft’s Windows on Devices aims to offer its proprietary operating system to engage users on an already familiar platform.
Specific details remain sparse, but the video below speculates on a few areas that have come to light. The possible uses that have been offered are tame compared to what we already know are the intentions behind the move toward a Smart World.
In what researcher Julie Beal has dubbed “Uberveillance” she outlines the greater picture in her article from 2012:
Now global surveillance of citizens is announced with pride and accepted without question. This is the age of the ‘Internet of things’ – everything is to be woven into the Web. Companies like IBM are busily creating ‘smartworld’ where the Internet becomes the system of systems, linking all devices, people, and even nature.
Everything we buy from the shops, even our food, will one day incorporate smart tags. This practice is on the increase, facilitating what is known in the industry as ‘asset tracking’, and is being taken up more and more to enable tracking and tracing of documents, equipment, pharmaceuticals, warehouse stock, etc. (Source)
Clearly the potential is such that former CIA director David Petraeus made mention of it, implying that Smart tech will most likely lead to a CIA (and NSA) home invasion:
CIA Director David Petraeus made headlines with a speech given at the summit for In-Q-Tel, the CIA’s venture capital firm. In this talk, Petraeus discussed the emerging “internet of things” and the implications it will have for increased levels of surveillance. Petraeus explained that, because of the rise of gadgets which are connected and controlled by apps, intelligence agencies will no longer need to place spy devices inside your home – you will do it for them.
In conjunction with a recent unveiling of a new low-powered computer chip by ARM, one of the world’s largest chip companies, the fact is virtually every piece of electronic equipment (including appliances) can be controlled via apps and Internet-based systems. It is for this reason that Petraeus stated that the CIA will be able to read these devices via the Internet and even radio waves outside of the home.
Petraeus further stated,
‘Transformational’ is an overused word, but I do believe it properly applies to these technologies.
Particularly to their effect on clandestine tradecraft. Items of interest will be located, identified, monitored, and remotely controlled through technologies such as radio-frequency identification, sensor networks, tiny embedded servers, and energy harvesters – all connected to the next-generation Internet using abundant, low-cost, and high-power computing.
He also added, “the latter now going to cloud computing, in many areas greater and greater supercomputing, and, ultimately heading to quantum computing.”
(Source)
As the world moves toward connecting real devices to the virtual world of the Internet, the recent U.S. move to relinquish Internet control to a structure of global governance will have even vaster implications. Also consider the fact that major tech companies are working together rather than competing in the Internet of Things space by forming an “Industrial Internet Consortium.” Lastly, we have Facebook pursuing the purchase of a solar drone company to potentially offer planet-wide connectivity.
As if all of that should not be troubling enough, the Windows on Devices website states the following:
Connections are everything
Your Windows device can connect to the cloud to enable interesting new scenarios. Use Azure data services, build a new mashup, analyze your data, connect your devices together, or update your devices remotely. Once your device is in the cloud, the sky’s the limit. (emphasis added).
So beyond the normal government backdoors into your devices, Cloud interaction will be built in as well. In her article “Prepping the cloud for the internet of things” tech writer Barb Darrow leaves no doubt:
As billions more devices get connected to the internet (estimated to be 26 billion by 2020 – Ed.), there will be a huge infrastructure transformation on the backend. Cloud computing will play a major role in how the world takes advantage of that device-driven data explosion. (Source)
This push continues despite the fact that Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak went on record to caution that Cloud Computing is absolutely not secure and is in fact fully compromised.
When the above developments are combined with the stated goals of UN Agenda 21, we are seeing a convergence of disparate areas under a simple single banner of connectivity.
To be sure, having you stay permanently connected in the real and virtual world has very little to do with your coffee mug or pet robot bear.
Video transcript with additional research links posted below:
Microsoft Could Bring Windows to Coffee Mugs, Robots
by Adam Falk
A new site suggests Windows might be coming to your coffee mug.
Engadget reports the site, called Windows on Devices, showed up briefly Tuesday – just ahead of Microsoft’s Build 2014 conference.
But it’s since been taken down and now looks like this, which tells us, well, nothing.
Before leaving the web, the site reportedly said Microsoft is “bringing Windows to a whole new class of small devices.”
It even used a smart coffee mug as an example. This suggests Microsoft might embrace the so-called ‘Internet of Things.’
Meaning, it’s going to make our everyday, dumb devices – like kitchen appliances or coffee mugs – smarter by connecting them to the internet.
Reports indicate Microsoft is aiming Windows on Devices at makers. That is, if it’s even happening.
Reports are speculation at this point, and as CNET notes, “The Internet of Things is certainly designed to extend smart technology to ‘dumb’ devices, but a coffee mug or bear? That might be a stretch.”
How about a watch? The Verge says the question is whether Windows on Devices could power things like watches or eyewear, “both of which Microsoft is rumored to be working on.”
We should likely know more about this mysterious site and more as Microsoft Build kicks off Wednesday.
Additional source:
http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/179617-microsoft-finally-gets-into-the-internet-of-things-prepare-for-blue-screening-fridges-mugs
Recently by Kevin Samson:
Samsung Smart Watches and Smartwrist bands Have Heartbeat Sensor, Microphones and Cameras — video included
by Frankie Gotz
Canadian Awareness Network
Feb 25, 2014
Yesterday we released an article on Samsung’s Galaxy S5 smart phone which has it’s basic features such as camera and microphone but has new biometric features on it such as fingerprint and heartbeat sensor. But it’s not like it monitors the heartbeat of the individual 24/7, it only monitors heartbeat when the individual puts their finger on the home button.
Samsung also released three other technologies with the similar biometric features on it but the only difference is, it monitors heartbeat 24/7 of the individual wearing it and stores it in the phone through a health app.
“The Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo leaked out a few days ago. They’re similar to the original Gear, but the strap is now replaceable, and as a result they feel a lot less bulky. The Gear 2 Neo lacks a camera, but is otherwise very similar to the Gear 2….In terms of new functionality, you get a heart rate sensor on the back, which is in constant contact with your skin, and regularly feeds data back to built-in mobile health app….(Gear Fit) smartwatch is all about fitness and activity. The heart rate sensor on the back will keep track of your pulse while you exercise, and tell you whether you need to speed up or slow down to maintain the desired rate. The display is a 1.84-inch 432×138 Super AMOLED unit, which can display notifications from your smartphone (via Bluetooth 4.0) — but unlike the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, there’s no microphone on the Fit.”
~ SOURCE
If any of these health apps were tested at appthwack then its very possible it could’ve came from the CIA because appthwack just recently went into partnership with In-Q-Tell (CIA front) to test In-Q-Tell apps. Also In-Q-Tell has indirectly funded Samsung in the past. In-Q-Tell mission is to adapt and deliver innovative technology solutions to support the missions of the CIA and broader US Intelligence Community
[related: Smartphone giants want your body]
VIDEO — Smart Tyranny: How to resist the smart grid
Boiling Frogs Video
Feb 25, 2014
Smart technology represents less of a breakthrough in power distribution and more of a revolution in complete, constant, panopticon-like surveillance of everyone. As these smart technologies begin to invade our homes, we are becoming mere nodes in a giant network that we yet but dimly comprehend. Called the “Internet of Things,” the plan is to create a network that will eventually include every single object on the planet. And as the public is finally becoming aware, such networks provide golden opportunities for corporations and governments alike to collect data and spy on the population.
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TRANSCRIPT AND SOURCES: http://www.corbettreport.com/?p=8781
[related: Major US Utility Firm Blasts Smart Meters As “Irrational” And “Security Risk”]
VIDEO — Secret ‘Minority Report’ Tech In All Post-2010 iPhones
Infowars
Jan 20, 2014
Apple installed secret ‘Minority Report’ tracking technology in all iPhones from 2010 and only just told you about it.
PN 