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People Staring at Computers

kylemcdonald.net

21–30 of 349 posts

Re: People Staring at Computers

#21
The fact that a number of posters feel offended that he would 'install software that takes their picture without consent' simply highlights how necessary such art is -- most people have simply no idea how many times they are photographed each day without their consent. An artist taking a few pictures, in an incredibly public place, should barely stir a ripple in comparison.

Consider if software had not been 'installed', but the browser left logged into a Zoom call, etc. Or a web page that looks like a computer game, but has camera permission. Or the feed from the dozens of surveillance cameras inside the Apple Store.

At least now we can wear masks.

Re: People Staring at Computers

#23
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, this story is definitely burying the lede. The author installed software on computers in Apple Stores, without Apple's permission. That software took photos of visitors to the apple store, and transmitted it to the author. Definitely shady activity, and when the information about how the author got the photos - is entirely unsurprising that they were raided.

> The author installed software on computers in Apple Stores, without Apple's permission They had at least some level of permission: > I saw people taking pictures inside all the time, so I just had to double check with an employee. [...] > We got situated in the store, double checked with an employee that it was ok to shoot video, and I triggered the slideshow

this was about videoing the live reactions of people within the store at the time of the slideshow 'exhibition', not about installing the software/taking the webcam pictures

Re: People Staring at Computers

#24
"I was still under the false belief that all varieties of law enforcement are designed to protect the public from harm. It was a sign of my privilege, and of my naive faith in the system."

> Systems are designed first, to benefit their creators, and subsequently their controllers, and then everyone else. Unless you designed the system, you should assume it's not designed to benefit you by default.

Re: People Staring at Computers

#25
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The author installed software on computers in Apple Stores, without Apple's permission They had at least some level of permission: > I saw people taking pictures inside all the time, so I just had to double check with an employee. [...] > We got situated in the store, double checked with an employee that it was ok to shoot video, and I triggered the slideshow

this was about videoing the live reactions of people within the store at the time of the slideshow 'exhibition', not about installing the software/taking the webcam pictures

That's the second quote, the first quote was about the software installation.

Re: People Staring at Computers

#26
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, this story is definitely burying the lede. The author installed software on computers in Apple Stores, without Apple's permission. That software took photos of visitors to the apple store, and transmitted it to the author. Definitely shady activity, and when the information about how the author got the photos - is entirely unsurprising that they were raided.

> The author installed software on computers in Apple Stores, without Apple's permission They had at least some level of permission: > I saw people taking pictures inside all the time, so I just had to double check with an employee. [...] > We got situated in the store, double checked with an employee that it was ok to shoot video, and I triggered the slideshow

he definitely wasn't honest about the extent of what he did - that isn't 'some level of permission' it's lying to an apple employee.

Re: People Staring at Computers

#27
post #20

yeah no. installing spyware and taking pictures of people without their consent is shady af. also the logic of “oh the apple store has glass windows” therefore i can do this illegal shit is mind boggling

It wasn't illegal, hence why no charges were ever filed.

Do you think all crimes are prosecuted?

There are plenty of things where the cops say "its illegal, but not worth our time". Going 5-over in a 70mph zone is a good example.

Re: People Staring at Computers

#28
post #20

yeah no. installing spyware and taking pictures of people without their consent is shady af. also the logic of “oh the apple store has glass windows” therefore i can do this illegal shit is mind boggling

It wasn't illegal, hence why no charges were ever filed.

It likely was illegal, just not something the USSS or Apple wanted to spend the legal fees fighting - they wanted to make sure this person wasn't part of some hacker or terrorist group trying to gather data or scare off people from going in the Apple store.

Re: People Staring at Computers

#29
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The author installed software on computers in Apple Stores, without Apple's permission They had at least some level of permission: > I saw people taking pictures inside all the time, so I just had to double check with an employee. [...] > We got situated in the store, double checked with an employee that it was ok to shoot video, and I triggered the slideshow

he definitely wasn't honest about the extent of what he did - that isn't 'some level of permission' it's lying to an apple employee.

Is there a statement from one of the involved employees that wasn't covered in the blog or is this pure speculation?

Re: People Staring at Computers

#30
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It wasn't illegal, hence why no charges were ever filed.

Do you think all crimes are prosecuted? There are plenty of things where the cops say "its illegal, but not worth our time". Going 5-over in a 70mph zone is a good example.

> There are plenty of things where the cops say "its illegal, but not worth our time"

Yes, and not many of these involve sending the secret service for a visit anyway.

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