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Transport for London plans to collect data from passengers' mobiles

news.sky.com

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Re: Transport for London plans to collect data from passengers' mobiles

#41

Post by knolan »

lucaspiller wrote: post #28
ricardobeat wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You just gave me the first real use for 3D Touch since I got my 6S. Thanks! On the subject, one swipe + one press using control center is really much faster than finding the settings app. For me it takes at least six actions to get to the switch: press home twice, open a folder, scroll, open settings, click wifi). Even if you keep settings in your home screen that's at least four clicks/touches away.

Note that in iOS 11 doing this through the Control Center it will say “Not Connected” which is exactly what it means - the WiFi hardware is still switched on, it just discconnects: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208086

We get it. We’re talking about turning WiFi off via settings.

Re: Transport for London plans to collect data from passengers' mobiles

#42

Post by knolan »

ricardobeat wrote: post #18
knolan wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m not sure I see the issue with iOS11. 3D Touch Settings and select WiFi and toggle it off. It’s about as much work as opening control center. If you don’t have a 3D Touch phone you have to open Settings and Navigate to WiFi which is right at the top of the list with Bluetooth and Airplane Mode.

You just gave me the first real use for 3D Touch since I got my 6S. Thanks! On the subject, one swipe + one press using control center is really much faster than finding the settings app. For me it takes at least six actions to get to the switch: press home twice, open a folder, scroll, open settings, click wifi). Even if you keep settings in your home screen that's at least four clicks/touches away.

I’ve got it on my home screen and it’s as simple as raise to wake while authenticating Touch ID then 3D Touch settings and select WiFi (you don’t have to lift your finger just slide) and tap the toggle.

You can also just ask Siri.

Re: Transport for London plans to collect data from passengers' mobiles

#43

Post by superqwert »

mm4 wrote: post #31

they talk about some great benefit for the passanger but they did not say what it actually is...

This is currently the only method available to get good estimates of # of people on a platform - unless you would prefer visual recognition software.

TfL needs this information to be able to stop overcrowding on platforms.

Re: Transport for London plans to collect data from passengers' mobiles

#45

Post by marcosscriven »

ricardobeat wrote: post #18
knolan wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m not sure I see the issue with iOS11. 3D Touch Settings and select WiFi and toggle it off. It’s about as much work as opening control center. If you don’t have a 3D Touch phone you have to open Settings and Navigate to WiFi which is right at the top of the list with Bluetooth and Airplane Mode.

You just gave me the first real use for 3D Touch since I got my 6S. Thanks! On the subject, one swipe + one press using control center is really much faster than finding the settings app. For me it takes at least six actions to get to the switch: press home twice, open a folder, scroll, open settings, click wifi). Even if you keep settings in your home screen that's at least four clicks/touches away.

It’s completely contrived one has to have 3D Touch to access such a basic thing now. There is a long press context, with plenty of space in the expanded area for the same setting.

Re: Transport for London plans to collect data from passengers' mobiles

#46

Post by zero_shift »

delinka wrote: post #32
corney91 wrote: post #13

Surely this would be an automatic sanction when GDPR comes into effect, leaving your wifi on isn't exactly "explicit consent".

Is the Underground a private institution? Is it government? Does GDPR provide exemptions for government institutions? Do the police assist the Underground in performing searches and data collection? Can the police assume "consent" when they collect your Wi-fi MAC or your Bluetooth ID or any other data your mobile device voluntarily broadcasts?

Yes, no, no, no, N/A as GDPR provides escape hatches for actions to do with 'public safety'.

Re: Transport for London plans to collect data from passengers' mobiles

#47

Post by zimpenfish »

superqwert wrote: post #43
mm4 wrote: post #31

they talk about some great benefit for the passanger but they did not say what it actually is...

This is currently the only method available to get good estimates of # of people on a platform - unless you would prefer visual recognition software. TfL needs this information to be able to stop overcrowding on platforms.

> unless you would prefer visual recognition software

Given they already have multiple cameras covering platforms from multiple angles, this seems like it would have been on the list.

Re: Transport for London plans to collect data from passengers' mobiles

#48

Post by superqwert »

Only access point connection time, hashed MAC address and time are logged.

The only thing that can be found out about anyone, is where they were, at what time, possibly who they were (all of which can be obtained from CCTV footage), and (additionally) how many web requests were made.

No browsing data is stored.

This doesn't particularly change the state of existing LU monitoring.

Re: Transport for London plans to collect data from passengers' mobiles

#49

Post by peterjmag »

raimue wrote: post #38

Even here in Germany of which most think that we have good privacy protection laws, mobile phone providers are collecting and selling anonymized movement profiles of their customers. Public transport companies use these to improve their service, as well as companies offering navigation systems. I would be surprised if tracking via the phone network was not common practice in other countries. In case of London, WiFi w…

For those who haven't seen it, here's a great illustration of what that data looked like for one person back in 2009:

http://www.zeit.de/datenschutz/malte-spitz-data-retention

I can imagine that it's only gotten more granular and comprehensive since then.

Re: Transport for London plans to collect data from passengers' mobiles

#50

Post by superqwert »

zimpenfish wrote: post #47
superqwert wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is currently the only method available to get good estimates of # of people on a platform - unless you would prefer visual recognition software. TfL needs this information to be able to stop overcrowding on platforms.

> unless you would prefer visual recognition software Given they already have multiple cameras covering platforms from multiple angles, this seems like it would have been on the list.

When TfL have previously suggested visual recognition software, the media exploded. So they took a step back.
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