Buzzwords of the Day 11-01-2023
*Special Note from the Author - This week's issue was written entirely in Vim!!!
#This Week's Buzzwords:
declare -a Buzzword = { "AI", "Security", "Web" }
$Buzzword{0}= "AI" - Is Automating Surveillance Really a Good Idea?
Surveillance is an ever-growing industry, and amidst global crises of the day, governments grow more interested in effectively monitoring their citizens by the day, citing safety concerns. While some level of surveillance can be expected just about anywhere in 2023 (take a look at last week's post covering which devices are listening to/selling your personal data in the background), Greece's Data Protection Authority has some concerns about steps the Grecian government has implemented to surveil migrants seeking refuge in many sizeable refugee camps. [Important to note here - Greece is a nation that receives a large influx of refugees and asylum seekers due to their location in the Mediterranean and proximity to active areas of conflict such as northern Africa, the Middle East, and the Baltic region of Europe].
The authoritative bodies managing refugee camps have been developing an in-house "smart" surveillance model over the past several years, and have come under scrutiny before this incident as well. As reported by ComputerWeekly, the "Centaur" system (funded via grants from the EU), collects data on camp activity including video/audio surveillance, warning systems, and sensors placed throughout the encampments. Additionally, programs like Hyperion use biometric data (fingerprint scans) to log any entry/exit information for the camp's staff & occupants. All data is centrally logged in Athens, and parsed through an algorithm designed to intelligently predict patterns that could lead to preventable incidents of theft, violence, or other concerns. The migration authorities insist that this combination of tools serve a preventative purpose, and are not meant to be a surveillance tool for individuals.
Concerns about the program that have been raised range from the vulnerability of a centralized dataset to concerns over privacy of individuals on-site in the camps. From reporting available, it seems as though the Greek Migration Authority is using these camps and their occupants as alpha-test subjects for a Big Brother style approach to state surveillance. Additionally, the existence of a central repository of this data itself presents a tremendous target for malicious actors to mine and repurpose. Considering the breadth of recent zero-days and breaches of network infrastructure (see last week's post regarding Citrix's current open exploits), the potential for misuse of a target dataset such as this (which effectively tracks the every movement of individuals fleeing war, violence, or other risks).
Source Context:
https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Greek-data-watchdog-to-rule-on-AI-systems-in-refugee-camps
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$Buzzword{1}= "Security" - We Promise, It's For Your Protection
Microsoft took a bold step this week to combat hardware-level cheating devices for their game consoles. Recently, the company has begun rolling out warnings to users of 'alternative' input devices such as the Cronus (a controversial device that allows users to input game commands via mouse & keyboard, which it then passes through a controller (also plugged into the device) to 'trick' the console into thinking the inputs come straight from the controller itself. This would allow a keyboard & mouse player to take advantage of some quality-of-life features available to controller users. More importantly, this step introduces a massive roadblock to the third-party hardware device market, such as alternative input hardware like virtual steering wheel/pedal systems, flight sticks, fight sticks, and an array of one-off, custom designed, or small-batch accessibility devices for the physically impaired.
Microsoft's decision to require an official licensing in order to whitelist the hardware will very likely render existing compatible devices inoperable, and push many users away from their own console system who cannot afford a first-party device, or for whom a first-party device is not available. The latter primiarly impacts the handicapped gaming market, as many accessibility controllers are home-built due to the cost constrains of purchasing Xbox-licensed or first-party accessibility controllers.
While Microsoft assures media outlets that their intentions are pure, and their aim is to prevent cheating on their consoles, the consequences of this decision create a space where Microsoft guarantees themselves a 'take' from every single input device sale made by them or third-parties, and to raise the barrier for entry to any additional third-party 'competitors' that could enter the space.
Source Context:
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$Buzzword{2}= "Web" - A New Domain Emerges *dramatic music*
This week Google announced a new domain available for purchase (in stages) coming out later this year and early next. Currently in early access, the .ing domain will be open for grabs via providers such as GoDaddy and 101Domains. Currently, access is paywalled (starting at $1,000,000 and decreasing over time), eventually .ing domains that have not been taken will make their way towards more general use and reasonable registration prices. Some memorable examples of early sites purchased (reported by 9to5 Google) are Nom Bots Dumpligns (dumpl.ing), the charity Giving Tuesday (giv.ing), Adobe Acrobat (edi.ing & sign.ing), and online design tool Canva (draw.ing & design.ing).
Source Context:
https://9to5google.com/2023/10/31/google-registry-launch-ing-domains/
