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People Staring at Computers (2021)

kylemcdonald.net

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Re: People Staring at Computers (2021)

#61

Post by imperfect_blue »

rrwo wrote: post #22

And for anyone who insists that Apple is one of the good guys: > In response, Apple contacted the Secret Service and they raided my apartment. After censoring the work online, Apple did not pursue a civil case against me.

I don't know, seems like a pretty proportionate response to someone coming into your store and installing what's effectively spyware on your machines.

Sure, no harm was done and it was in the name of art, but how would anyone making the decisions at Apple know that?

Re: People Staring at Computers (2021)

#64

Post by logifail »

hklgny wrote: post #27

This article was a bit of a whirlwind for me, I had many of the reactions he later mentioned hearing in comments. I think where I settled is that this was an annoying invasion of privacy and ruined a good thing. I loved hearing about people recording music videos and doing real things in the stores, sucks to see that abused and put at risk. Stand out for me, however, was this line from the EFF: “if you're ever thinki…

> Stand out for me, however, was this line from the EFF: “if you're ever thinking of doing something like this in the future, give us a call first.” I think taking that action would have altered my opinion on it. Does anyone know if such a reach out would actually get a useful response?

At the very least the EFF would have warned of the potential consequences, which the author appeared to be blissfully unaware of.

Re: People Staring at Computers (2021)

#65

Post by throwayyy479087 »

Bakary wrote: post #6

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. The artist seems pretentious, but self-aware. Annoying, but a great storyteller. The art and philosophical conclusions involved are dated and cliché but thought provoking at the same time. It's irritating, exciting, and comforting all at once. I don't know what to make of it but I'm glad that people like the author exist.

I know the guy - this is a very accurate take. Recycling cliches and thinking that he's brilliant are par for the course for him. He _is_ a talented programmer but seemed to see engineering as below ˙him.

Installing spyware to make public the faces of others for implied mockery, when you see yourself as above criticism is poetic.

Re: People Staring at Computers (2021)

#68

Post by kergonath »

adgjlsfhk1 wrote: post #51
mjburgess wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He did not have legal "access" to the computer; this isnt how the law, or even basic common sense, works. Apple made store computers available for demo, installing spyware on them clearly violates the level and kind of authorisation apple was providing. THe law makes these distinctions. But likewise, so does anyone with half a brain. You cannot come into my house an d install a keylogger on my PC, even if I make it a…

Apple made store computers available for demo and he didn't bypass any protection to run the software, and there isn't any agreement you have to sign to use one of the demo computers that lists what you are and aren't allowed to do with them. I agree this is on the edge, but looking through the CFAA, it isn't obvious to me which if any section applies here.

> Apple made store computers available for demo and he didn't bypass any protection to run the software, and there isn't any agreement you have to sign to use one of the demo computers that lists what you are and aren't allowed to do with them.

Unauthorised entry is unauthorised regardless of whether you have to open a door or break a lock. Not having to circumvent protection measures does not make something legal.

Re: People Staring at Computers (2021)

#69

Post by cj1 »

throwayyy479087 wrote: post #65
Bakary wrote: post #6

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. The artist seems pretentious, but self-aware. Annoying, but a great storyteller. The art and philosophical conclusions involved are dated and cliché but thought provoking at the same time. It's irritating, exciting, and comforting all at once. I don't know what to make of it but I'm glad that people like the author exist.

I know the guy - this is a very accurate take. Recycling cliches and thinking that he's brilliant are par for the course for him. He _is_ a talented programmer but seemed to see engineering as below ˙him. Installing spyware to make public the faces of others for implied mockery, when you see yourself as above criticism is poetic.

No post body was provided.

Re: People Staring at Computers (2021)

#70

Post by js8 »

mjburgess wrote: post #45
jacknews wrote: post #11

The police forces were created to protect property and 'the system', not people, and that's what they continue to do. https://worxintheory.wordpress.com/2014/12/07/origins-of-the...

The whole "let's turn this into a libertarian political-philosophical discussion" angle is a misdirection. (And an increasingly common one, eg., cf. crypto). The guy installed spyware on laptops in a commercial store and then publicly displayed the data collected. It's an open-and-shut case. Almost any person who went to that store, and any store owner, would be furious. It is these people the law here protects(, and…

The illegality of it might be clear cut, but the immorality of it is not.

And why should the store owner be furious, and not amused, or embarrassed? It's just things, nobody got hurt. It is a very libertarian idea that violence against property is morally the same as violence against a person.

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