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noun: skills in many areas. a little of this and that.

PSA Newsletter 32: Privacy, Security, Automation!

Stocking Stuffers, Uber Privacy Updates, AI Browser Surprises, and more...

Privacy

If you're still shopping for stocking stuffers, a Spigen privacy shield is a great buy. These screens protect your iPhone screen and give you complete visibility when viewed head on. However, anyone looking at your phone from the side will see a black reflective surface. Very helpful for preventing shoulder surfers from viewing your PIN or other sensitive information on your screen when using your phone. Highly recommended. [1]

Uber: Uber Advertising today announced Uber Intelligence, a data and insights platform that gives brands a clearer view of how people move through the world, from the trips they take to the meals they order.

Generally, any time a company launches a platform for marketers to gain more insight into its customers, it will be extremely privacy-invasive and user-hostile. A cursory look into Uber's analytics partner LiveRamp reveals a specialty in tracking and linking offline behavior to online behavior through multisignal location tracking. This means tracking via GPS, wifi, bluetooth, and other methods. To mitigate this kind of tracking, turn off wifi, bluetooth, and gps when visiting a location you don't want to be tracked, or use a faraday bag, linked here. As an extra precaution, I recommend restricting all permissions to the Uber app or removing it entirely from your phone when not actively using it. [2]

Security

AI browsers send everything on your screen to a parent company for analysis, by design. Unsurprisingly, this may include sensitive information, including credit card details, personally identifiable information, and health information. Although this source article is targeted at the enterprise market, what's good for the goose is also good for the gander. Therefore, I recommend to only use AI browsers as test sandboxes. Never log in to or browse sensitive accounts or information, unless you want that information made public. Key takeaway: Do not trust AI browsers to be secure or private, unless specifically stated and vetted. Even then, hacks and leaks do happen, so use with care. [3]

Automation

IKEA has released its line of new smart home accessories. Of special note are their Matter-enabled smart home remotes. Previously, remotes were released by large companies such as Philips or small no-name companies with a non-existent or spotty security record. With the release of the IKEA remotes, you can control your lights and smart devices without proprietary apps (security win) and they're quite cheap (wallet win). I don't have any yet, but I will be purchasing and reviewing them shortly. [4]

iRobot, makers of the Roomba robot vacuum, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and restructuring on Sunday, December 14th. Control of the company will mostly be handed to its main supplier and lender Shenzhen PICEA Robotics Co. If you have an internet-connected Roomba, this is your warning to start looking for a replacement soon. I recommend the Eufy 115, as it's cheap, dumb, and does a good job of vacumming up dust. It can be programmed to run on a schedule, is easy to repair, and best of all, won't send any of your personal information to the cloud. If however, you decide to keep your internet-connected Roomba, please make sure to carefully review all future software and privacy policy updates for provisions regarding where your data is being sent. Remember: the more advanced models scan and record the layout of the space they're in. You have been warned. [5] [6]

Sources:

  1. Except where explicitly mentioned, absolutely no part of this newsletter was created with AI.
  2. All opinions expressed are solely my own and do not reflect the views or opinions of my employer or anyone else.
  3. For support with any mentioned product, please reach out to the vendor first.
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