The modern spy...

[CLB] Following the news this morning. There are a larger than normal number of 'spy' articles. And the topics are fascinating. We are watching the roll-out of ubiquitous watchware. It's time that each of makes the assumption that every action, every purchasing choice, every movement you make is being monitored somehow.

The techniques used rely on technologies that have been around for years. They are being used more systemic to monitor, collect, analysis, and react more effectively.

Where was I?

The other night at my local bar, a friend had his computer running Google Earth. We zoomed around the neighbourhood, looking at satellite data less than a year old in some cases. Where were you on the night of ...? Although civilian data does not provide face-recognizing resolution, we know there is better out there. Some military and government organizations can tell you exactly where you were, and where you went. They could confirm how long I stayed at the pub, and who I walked home with.

MORE: Google Earth

Parking Meters

"Technology is taking much of the fun out of finding a place to park
the car.

In Pacific Grove, Calif., parking meters know when a car pulls out of
the spot and quickly reset to zero -- eliminating drivers' little joy
of parking for free on someone else's quarters. In Montreal, when cars stay past their time limit, meters send
real-time alerts to an enforcement officer's hand-held device,
reducing the number of people needed to monitor parking spaces -- not
to mention drivers' chances of getting away with violations.
Meanwhile, in Aspen, Colo., wireless "in-car" meters may eliminate
the need for curbside parking meters altogether: They dangle from the
rear-view mirror inside the car, ticking off prepaid time."

MORE: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Colour Printers
"Secret codes embedded into pages printed by some colour laser printers pose a risk to personal privacy, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The US privacy group warns the approach - ostensibly only designed to identify counterfeiters - has become a tool for government surveillance, unchecked by laws to prevent abuse."

MORE: The Register

What did you wear today?

I purchased a few summer clothing items last month from a brand name store. This pretty teal silk skirt had caught my eye, and I've worn it to a few parties and meeting. Yesterday, when checking the washing instructions, I noticed the RFID tag sewn into the seam. The tag is passive, and can be scanned easily, allowing anyone to determine where I purchased my skirt, and even what size I wear. And with a few improvements, this technology will allow the store to track when and where I wore the skirt, and when it remained in my closet. Eventually, I'll be able to scan my closet, create an inventory, and reorder online based on my personal preferences. And a clothing supplier will be able to collect that data and make recommendations such as, "We have a beautiful shirt in you size, made out of the same fabric and colour," or "You haven't worn these 19 items in 3 years. Would you like the local charity to pick them up for you?"

If all these organizations were to share data, they'd know which movie ticket I printed out, how long I parked and where to see theshow, and what I wore. And hopefuly they'd offer some advice about my date, and perhaps even who else he is seeing. How much do you rely on being anonymous in your activities?

[CLB]