Global Tracking

Global Data Sharing, Cookies, and Working From Home

Good Morning,

We’re seeing daily escalations in the use of cell phone location data to track the spread of COVID19. I’ve said this in my past two emails but it’s worth pointing out again that this is a slippery slope. I worry that once these measures are turned on it will be hard to stop even once this crisis is over.

The mobile phone industry has explored the creation of a global data-sharing system that could track individuals across the world, as part of an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19. This means they are all working together to share data across carriers thus enabling anyone with access the ability to track virtually every person with a cellphone.

The Israeli government also approved measures that allow authorities to track anyone who may have come in contact with COVID19 and warn those who contact with them. They also authorized phones to be used to enforce strict quarantine rules. It’s hard to believe we’re now living in a world where our phones are being used to enforce a quarantine.

How accurate is the GPS data? Will the police show up at my house because it seems it looks like I’m not inside?

Did anyone else notice this article about how the Brits are using AI to “snitch” on people breaking quarantine? This is quickly starting to feel like the movie Minority Report. Don’t worry, there are ways to “hack your face” to confuse the AI. If anyone else has specific methods, I’m interested in learning more.

Apple announced that Safari now completely blocks cookies in the browser. This is a step in the right direction for protecting privacy but there are still ways to fingerprint online activity. The article claims that Safari is the only browser to fully block cookies (and Tor) but I’m certain it’s not the only one. If you’re looking for a privacy preserving browser, look up Tenta Browser. It’s only available on Android at the moment but it’s an interesting project and worth following.

Speaking of browsers, Brave is partnering with Binance to enable its users to trade crypto without leaving the browser. Pretty interesting development.

Working from home exposes you to all sorts of security risks. This article has some suggestions for how to protect yourself and your company. I plan to put together a list of Open Source tools that you can use to protect your privacy and security while you work from home. Using an Open Source VPN and switching to a more secure video conferencing solution are the first two things I would do. If you want free access to a VPN hit me up and I can send you some free accounts.

Out of curiosity, what tools are you using daily while working from home?

All the best,

Alex

P.S. I’ve changed the name of this newsletter to Van By The River. Thanks, Brian for the inspiration :).

Technically, I have my van parked by the Pacific ocean but the reference was too fun not to use.