Google chief: I'd disclose smart speakers before guests enter my home

Post by shadowgovt » Thu, Oct 17, 2019, 3:58 PM UTC

mojuba wrote: post #271

glitcher wrote: post #252

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I blame Star Trek. Simply speaking out loud to ask the computer anytime something was needed, it seemed like magical tech. We just didn't anticipate the companies and extra consequences that would come along with it. I would love to see a parody of Star Trek where all the tech is run by an advertising company exploiting all the crew members individually by capturing all their private data around the clock.

I think it looks comfortable in the Star Trek universe because it is implied that voice activated stuff is controlled by a super-AI. That is, the AI won't give humans access to the audio. Which in turn means we are going to have a super-AI that can restrict our rights and itself have access to vast amounts of information about us. I.e. Star Trek is a society essentially controlled by the AI, as it will be above us.

Post by okmokmz » Thu, Oct 17, 2019, 3:58 PM UTC

falcolas wrote: post #143

irishloop wrote: post #141

I know it puts me in the minority, but I honestly do not care that much. It's obfuscation by volume. If Google wants to hear me and my roommate argue about Red Dead Redemption online or the new Bill Burr comedy special, good luck with that. When I worked in IT, people always used to say oh you can read my emails? Nobody wants to read about your boring-ass life. My understanding is they are using our speech to create…

This is simply a "I have nothing to hide" argument, and the rebuttals to this have been done frequently and better than I can manage.

Post by pixelbath » Thu, Oct 17, 2019, 4:00 PM UTC

mojuba wrote: post #271

glitcher wrote: post #252

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I blame Star Trek. Simply speaking out loud to ask the computer anytime something was needed, it seemed like magical tech. We just didn't anticipate the companies and extra consequences that would come along with it. I would love to see a parody of Star Trek where all the tech is run by an advertising company exploiting all the crew members individually by capturing all their private data around the clock.

I think it looks comfortable in the Star Trek universe because it is implied that voice activated stuff is controlled by a super-AI. That is, the AI won't give humans access to the audio. Which in turn means we are going to have a super-AI that can restrict our rights and itself have access to vast amounts of information about us. I.e. Star Trek is a society essentially controlled by the AI, as it will be above us.

Post by shadowgovt » Thu, Oct 17, 2019, 4:02 PM UTC

saluki wrote: post #115

I was a huge Google Fan but this is becoming lunacy. I understood trading some data and privacy for great search results, maps and free quality email. But people willingly bringing always on listening devices in to their homes (beyond what smartphones are already capable of) I just can't comprehend it. Why would people voluntarily do this in exchange for being able to ask for weather, play a playlist, add a todo and…

Post by close04 » Thu, Oct 17, 2019, 4:04 PM UTC

davinic wrote: post #253

eeZah7Ux wrote: post #207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's very different. Smart speakers are much better at invading privacy.

No one has yet to provide an argument as to why "smart speakers are much better at invading privacy". For example, just this year my always-on, always-near-me iPhone was subject to an attack where anyone could call me on FaceTime and gain access to my microphone. This attack vector does not exist on my Google Home. So, why are smart speakers much better at invading privacy?