Security: Standard Innovation's We-vibe collects your sex data

[shep]

"The class action came after two hackers demonstrated in a hacking conference last year that it was possible to remotely take control of the vibrator and activate it.

About 300,000 people purchased We-Vibe devices covered by the class action, and about 100,000 downloaded and used the app, according to a memo filed with the settlement agreement. Sex toys are a booming business, with hundreds of models on the market, many of them costly and nonreturnable. But the We-Vibe was unusual in offering an app that could connect to the internet.

Standard Innovation collected individual-level usage information – often tied to users’ personally identifiable addresses,” they said, adding that the firm “breached its customers’ trust, devalued their purchases” and “ violated federal and state law in the process.”

More here:https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/14/t...it-spying.html

[e1-531g]

It's time for free and/or open source sex toys!

[shep]

Originally Posted by e1-531g

It's time for free and/or open source sex toys!

With secure, encrypted connections!!! Almost like wearing a mask.

[sacerdos_daemonis]

I realise I am more sceptical that most, but my first question woud be, "Why does someone want me to connect my vibrator to the internet?"

[roddierod]

Originally Posted by sacerdos_daemonis

I realise I am more sceptical that most, but my first question woud be, "Why does someone want me to connect my vibrator to the internet?"

Exactly! And my other question is, who is out there looking for network ready vibrators and why?

[scottro]

Probably someone with a screen name like roddierod. <ducks and runs>

(Although Rod Person does sound like a porn star's screen name).

Scott, (being completely unappreciative of python programs Rod has written for him over the years)

[IdOp]

Maybe the article in question is connected to the Internet so that it can be controlled by one's partner(s). Perhaps it portends of a future virtual reality experience in which participants are immersed in a body suit fitted with various devices which control pressure, temperature, frequency, viscosity, audio, etc. Compatible with google glass. Batteries not included. Parental discretion advised.

[Carpetsmoker]

Spy on your users by default, even though they paid for the product.

Welcome to the 21st century... Turns out it's not so great, after all.

[scottro]

Yes, recently I made a purchase at a physical store, with cash, and they were filling out a form and asked my phone number. I told them, very nicely, that I now charge for that info as it seems to be a salable commodity. Not that it will do anything that is more than a token protest, as there are so many places that already have it.

[roddierod]

Originally Posted by scottro

Probably someone with a screen name like roddierod. <ducks and runs>

(Although Rod Person does sound like a porn star's screen name).

Scott, (being completely unappreciative of python programs Rod has written for him over the years)

LOL. Actually if you google rod person, it's an entry level survey position!

[scottro]

I feel like there's yet another pun (or many here), but I'll desist.

[gpatrick]

Aldous Huxley's "A Brave New World" seems ever truer.

[Carpetsmoker]

Originally Posted by scottro

Yes, recently I made a purchase at a physical store, with cash, and they were filling out a form and asked my phone number. I told them, very nicely, that I now charge for that info as it seems to be a salable commodity. Not that it will do anything that is more than a token protest, as there are so many places that already have it.

When I worked for a computer shop we recorded customer names, addresses, and phone numbers as well.
Not because we wanted to make money off of them, but because many people lose their invoices and this made things easier to check the warranty status when they came back with defects. Or they would have questions about "how can I foo with my bar device?", where they typically wouldn't really know what make and model "bar device" is.

In the end, I suppose it comes down to trust and lawful protection, both of which seem in short supply.

Still, lots of people will give out their phone number and other data it seems. When I went to get a haircut a while ago I couldn't pay without giving my name, email, and phone number (which, as you probably already know, is Donald Duck <donald@duckburg.com>, 07123456789). The lady was rather surprised I didn't just give it out.

[scottro]

I would guess the majority of people just easily give out this information to stores. I should add that I can't be sure the store wanted this information to sell others or to spam me afterwards, but unfortunately, in this day and age, that seems to be the common practice. I will repeat that I was polite, as the employee asking me for this information probably doesn't make the decision.

[e1-531g]

Originally Posted by Carpetsmoker

When I went to get a haircut a while ago I couldn't pay without giving my name, email, and phone number (which, as you probably already know, is Donald Duck <donald@duckburg.com>, 07123456789). The lady was rather surprised I didn't just give it out.

Fortunately, in my country shops and service providers (I mean haircutter etc) don't require them, at least yet. The only thing I have been asked in shop to provide is zip code.
Anyway large malls have technology to track cellphoness by IMSI and Wifi MAC address.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/u-...them-1.1019654