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I have your password”. This was the line in the subject box of an email I received a few weeks back. And he did. A long list of threats – “the revelation of private information” and demands – “give me money” followed. The initial shock of seeing my password was short lived because one; the password was one I had changed a long time ago, and two; it was clear from reading the email that this was all the data they had. I was curious as to how my old password had become a tradable commodity so I Googled. And yes, the website for which I had used that password, LinkedIn, was hacked with 164m passwords stolen and sold a few years ago.
In this COVID-19 era we are clicking links sent to us to join video calls, despite being unfamiliar with the system
We are protective of our data. We try to secure it online with strong passwords, by not opening spam and by using anti-virus software. And yet in this COVID-19 era we are clicking links sent to us to join video calls, despite being unfamiliar with the system. We are shopping online as there is no other option for some items, and no other choice for some people.
I am being tongue in cheek when I say that this report is brought to you with your own data
These habits are being recorded. Janine Kennedy reports on how our food and shopping habits are changing. I am being tongue in cheek when I say that this report is brought to you with your own data.
Back in 2018 we were all blue in the face with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the EU law designed to protect our data. Breaches and fines were a concern for companies. Most people really had no idea what they were supposed to do. A commissioner was put in place. We moved on. It’s not talked about all that much now, which I find surprising considering that, with the help of COVID-19, our data is being harvested all over the place. Nothing untoward about this, as we all click the T&Cs box and accept the cookies, so we are agreeing to our preferences being recorded.
Many of these steps will involve the processing of personal data of individuals
The website of the data protection commissioner acknowledges that data will be collected. “Governments, as well as public, private and voluntary organisations are taking necessary steps to contain the spread and mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Many of these steps will involve the processing of personal data of individuals. Data protection law does not stand in the way of the provision of healthcare and the management of public health issues.” Reading between the lines, this is saying that the data collection is for your own good and it most likely is.
Within three days of its launch, almost three million people had the app on their phones
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison says the government’s coronavirus tracing app will be the “ticket to a COVID-safe Australia where we can go about doing the things we love doing once again”. Within three days of its launch, almost three million people had the app on their phones. The introduction of a similar app is being mooted here. The weather has cooled in western Australia where my sisters live. My older sister Enrika is back to packing her kids onto the school bus every morning. Although there appears to be a ray of normality coming back into her life, she is not comfortable with the Australian prime minister’s championed solution. But will she or we have an option in the future as we yearn for a semblance of normality?
Would you consider having your temperature checked and your body thermally imaged, an invasion of your privacy that is a step too far? Or would the temptation of a restaurant dinner encourage you to press the “I accept” button?
SHARING OPTIONS: