PSA Newsletter 42: Privacy, Security, Automation!
AI Cautions, Robot Vacuums, A Wireless CarPlay Recommendation, and more...
Privacy
Amazon's For You page is an AI-enabled summary of everything Amazon can infer about you based on your Alexa inputs, shopping habits, and other data sources. Be warned: it knows more about you than you think.
Engadget reports on the privacy risks of cloud-connected smart robot vacuums. In the article, Engadget recommends Matic vacuums as an alternative, but their devices start above $1,400 USD. While that may seem high, try to think of it as the price of maintaining your privacy in a world heavily incentivized to take it from you. If a product is cheap and smart, chances are the manufacturer's getting their main source of income elsewhere, like selling your data. For example, a cloud-connected robot vacuum with features like remote control and home mapping features will most likely also upload the data it collects about your home to their servers for uses like selling that data to data brokers and law inquiries. If instead, the manufacturer makes it a point to advertise privacy-preserving features and explains in plain language how it adheres to those principles, that's a sign that your privacy is more likely to be respected. However, still do your due diligence and read their Terms of Use or Privacy Policy to be sure. Also bear in mind that this also usually does not come cheap, since the entire burden of profit is now on you the customer, and not a third party. [1] [2]
Security
I'm once again linking to another fantastic episode of Cal Newport's podcast, this time regarding a disturbing trend with AI chatbots and LLMs. In short: Children and/or those with underlying mental health conditions have taken their own lives at the behest of an AI chatbot more than once. Cal Newport offers a layman's explanation on how the usual safeguards put in place to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening eventually fail and how the nature of AI chatbots and LLMs will always lead to that outcome. If you're a parent, be warned: This may be upsetting material, but absolutely crucial to hear in today's day and age.
This is a little late, but Kurzgesagt has a fascinating video on the Hugging Face breach and how the AI Agents involved organized themselves in order to pull it off. I recommend watching it and supporting Kurzgesagt through their store (not an affiliate) because of their excellent storytelling and human-first approach to art and video. [3] [4]
Automation
In iOS 27, the Shortcuts app has unfortunately been bloated with AI to the extent that upon launch, it asks you to describe the shortcut you'd like to create instead of bringing up a list of your current shortcuts. To reverse this terrible design decision, go into the Settings app > Apps > Shortcuts and select Editor in the "Open shortcuts to" section.
Twelve South has debuted a wireless CarPlay and Android Auto adapter named Airfly Drive in recent weeks. In previous newsletters, I recommended another brand wireless CarPlay adapter, but have since revised my opinion and now recommend the Airfly Drive. I purchased it, have been using it for several weeks, and am very happy with how it performs. A few things to note: First, I didn't sync my contacts to the device and it still works well, and second, it does get hot to the touch if connected in a place with poor air circulation. Once it overheats, it may not reconnect until it's had time to cool down. Other than that, it's a solid recommendation at $39.99. [5]
Sources:
- [1] Amazon: For You
- [2] Engadget: Robot vacuums have a major privacy problem you should be aware of
- [3] (YouTube Link) Cal Newport: ChatBots Are Killing People!
- [4] (YouTube Link) Kurzgesagt: AI Just Crossed the Terrifying Line - Now What?
- [5] Twelve South: Airfly Drive Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto Adapter
