In class, we have been discussing how much data their is about our lives. Everything we do on the internet is logged by our browsing history or from organizations such as Facebook. An article from Cybernews discusses how online trackers know 80% of a person’s browser history. They go on to mention that after a browser history is deleted, it takes a few hours for the online tracker to rebuild a person’s online identity. Having access to this much data makes phishing scams much easier, because attackers know what people like to search for and click on. The same article argues that phishing scams are higher during tax season because scammers can give victims an urgent reminder to pay taxes by clicking on a link.

The more data that exists about a person the easier it is to attack that person. This is because attackers can learn what a person likes to click on and then created tailored attacks. To combat this users should use search engines that do not track a person’s data. An example of this is duckduckgo.com. Additionally, users should be aware of the data that is being tracked so they do not fall for the tailored scams. Another factor that users should be aware of are emails asking for immediate or urgent action. Scammers give their victims a sense of urgency to make the victim act without thinking. Even if the victim realizes after the attack that they should not have typed out their social security number, its too late.

I think that there is nothing a normal user can do about the amount of data that is collected about them. Companies have polices that collect data to use for advertisements. Users do not pay for services like Facebook or Youtube, so users do not have the authority to ask those companies to not collect data on them. Users can, however, not click on the “suggested for you” or not click on the advertisements. This will effect the algorithms used to created targeted advertisements and make them less accurate.

Source: https://cybernews.com/privacy/some-online-trackers-know-up-to-80-of-a-users-browsing-history/

Many companies have begun launching new systems and softwares that have users’ privacy in mind. Google has been one of the companies as it announced its latest system called Topics. Topics is part of Google’s commitment to privacy and security, as the company says that Topics will prevent third-party advertisers from collecting specific user information. Instead, Topics will give advertisers overall subjects or keywords connected to users’ history and patterns. Additionally, information on these subjects would only be stored for three weeks. Topics is a development from Google’s movement towards strengthening security and privacy. For example, the company also released settings where users have the option to regularly delete their search histories or prevent systems from keeping information on their searches. 

Despite what seems like progress, some people are still reluctant and unhappy with Google’s actions. In this article, Director of Privacy at Brave Peter Snyder said that Google’s Topics does not mean that the company has committed to changing the way it currently keeps user information for an infinite amount of time, such as search history. 

This point was interesting to read about being that Google has given the option for users to change their settings so search histories will not be kept, but at the same time, it means users have to go out of their way to manually enable these settings themselves. If not done, it seems Google will still collect the information. Several individuals believe that these policies are unethical due to the way they keep personal data. According to the Google Privacy Policy, users can “manage [their] preferences about the ads shown to you on Google” and “choose whether [their] personal information is used to make ads more relevant,” which aligns with what the article reports. However, one could note that the privacy policy means that users have to make the effort to change their preferences themselves versus Google protecting their privacy automatically for them. 

It seems that based on its new Topics system, Google is giving up some of its potential business with advertisers because it is limiting the data it is sharing with third-party advertisers. Just as we learned in class, ads are placed on sites by Google based on information collected about users. Advertisers will pay Google for this kind of information and also for Google to place their ads. We also learned that social media platforms make money from advertisers and that at the end of the day, advertisers are their customers. This article puts this into perspective in terms of Google seemingly trying to balance its business side with its commitment to privacy. With the development of new trends and technology, I would think that this issue of privacy will continue to be a relevant point for many years.

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/25/business/google-topics-chrome-tracking.html 

https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en-US#infochoices

I recently read an article by the LA Times on the future of homebuilding. According to the article, 3D printed homes will become standard in how we plan and construct future structures. Within this blog post, I will summarize some of the information I found.

By 3D printing homes, construction managers and city planners believe that they will help solve the housing needs around the world (Hernandez, 2022). Printers allow architects to quickly produce their projects with sometimes untraditional materials (Hernandez, 2022). In Italy, 3D printers were able to construct homes out of clay (Hernandez, 2022). Perhaps clay buildings could be used in poorer sections of the world where expensive materials are unavailable. Although 3D printing houses may be concerning for workers in the house construction sector, men and women will still be needed to install electrical systems, heating, plumbing, and roofing (Hernandez, 2022).

Although the future of 3D-printed houses is promising, there is expected to be some pushback, especially from homeowners and construction workers (Hernandez, 2022). Construction workers make up a large bulk of blue-collar industries (Hernandez, 2022). This fact could suggest that replacing these workers with printers could result in public uproars. Another pushback to 3D printers is from homebuyers (Hernandez, 2022). Buying a house is probably the largest investment a family can make. People have been handcrafting houses for thousands of years…Why take the risk and try to live in a house made by a machine?

Overall, the future of 3D printing, in general, is bright. It will be interesting to see how these printers develop the housing market.

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-01-29/housing-options-states-3d-printed-homes

Education has always been a global issue, and how to make young people grow better is a long-term topic. In terms of education, Chinese-style education has already become a high wall in the hearts of young people. Millions of people have crossed the single-plank bridge, and to get better results in the college entrance examination, they go to the so-called top universities and pray for a better future. But is it really good for teens’ physical and mental health? As things stand, there are really not many choices for them, only time will tell.

To be honest, the high-strength study will put a lot of psychological pressure on young people, and they usually don’t have time to go outdoors. Many young people choose to play games at home. In their minds, maybe this is the only way to relieve stress. At the same time, it also causes a lot of anxiety for parents. Because over time, teenagers will become addicted to online games and even give up the intention of learning. This is definitely wrong. How can we balance gaming and learning? In the past two years, the Chinese government has introduced a policy, an anti-addiction system, all games supervised by the state must be authenticated with real names, and the game time of minors is limited to 1.5 hours a day, three hours on holidays, and there are also restrictions on game recharge. Because today’s teenagers are getting younger and younger to use the Internet and games, this policy will also have different restrictions based on age. The Chinese government claims that this policy not only prevents modern teens from being addicted to the Internet but also reduces quarrels between teens and families and builds a healthier Internet.

According to some research, the average video game time of American teenagers is 15 hours per week. This phenomenon has also shocked the American education community. Therefore, many experts now propose to limit the online game time of teenagers as much as possible and give teenagers a reasonable and healthy rest space. So do you think China’s policy is reasonable?

http://www.xinhuanet.com/legal/2021-05/24/c_1127483045.htm (translation needed)

https://www.kait8.com/story/38433832/study-kids-play-15-hours-of-video-games-per-week/

https://childmind.org/article/healthy-limits-on-video-games/

In today’s era of more and more advanced technology, data science is not only limited to the development of technology but also integrated into life.

According to the BBC, a university professor used data science to create a program that automatically matches near-perfect wine and cheese pairings. The program uses a visual map, filters through the cheese selected by the user and the original site, and finally presents an interactive map.

The present invention undoubtedly provides a very convenient platform for wine lovers and cheese lovers, wherein the database records information about thousands of ideal pairings and quite a few wines and cheeses, and a pairing list can be developed only based on specific information. Although such a platform is very convenient, once it is launched on the market, it is believed that it will be widely used by a large number of enthusiasts, but there is a hidden danger that people are overly dependent. Generally speaking, people will have their own unique preferences and collocations. If their ideal match is the opposite on such a platform, will it affect the user’s personal opinion?

On the other hand, from a health perspective, Cytoscape also provides the relevant data needed for the development of the program, it’s a database site used by geneticists and biologists around the world to map and visualize related genes and diseases. Assuming the wine or cheese selection is strictly in accordance with the show’s pairings, can health issues be much improved? If this program is really introduced, will you rely on the program to find a match or will you still make choices based on your own ideas?

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38333693

Semiconductors are a vital part of nearly every technology-based product we use today. In short, they are electronic components that are used in integrated circuits since they are materials that can only partly conduct a current. Almost every industry somewhat relies on the production of semiconductors, most notably the automobile and technology industries.

For those that aren’t aware of what is currently going on in the semiconductor industry, ongoing supply chain constraints have left semiconductor manufacturers scrambling for means to supply products for the exceedingly high demand. Now, this isn’t new; the semiconductor industry is known for its cyclicality, much of which is self-imposed. More specifically, during times of chip shortages, most companies struggle to find the equilibrium of how much to supply without over-saturating the market and decreasing the overall price of its products. However, compared to other shortage circumstances, the shortage we are currently experiencing is a very big topic in geopolitical affairs.

Due to semiconductor manufacturing being a key component to technological advancements across industries, countries that operate large manufacturing facilities are placing extensive investments into their respective industries for the coming years. Each country wants to gain the biggest positioning within the market so that their infrastructure will succeed as more technology progresses. For instance, in the semiconductor industry, Chinese manufacturers are known for their speed of production and the amount of quality chips they are able to craft at each production site. While, North American manufacturers are known for developing more complex and smaller chips, but struggle with the speed of production. New entrants to the market, such as India and South Korea, are also committed to strong investments. However, with the shift to more advanced products, more products are requiring a higher level of chip complexity, but at the same time there is a larger demand for these products, as well.

As it currently stands, the United States has proposed a $52 billion investment over to mobilize funding for their programs. However, it does not stand to match the investments being made my international countries and companies. Intel is going to be building new facilities in Europe to be valued at around $95 billion. Depending on their progression within  programs and eventually their distribution levels, is what country will take the lead of the industry. So, the real question is, who will take over the industry and what does that mean for the future of technology?

Source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/eus-microchip-plan-to-rival-u-s-and-asia-takes-next-step-11643410861?mod=tech_lead_pos6

Electric bikes and scooters are quickly changing basic transportation as we know it. We have all seen kids flying around campus on electric scooters and bikes, wishing we had one of our own as we trekked to class in frigid temperatures. However, college campuses only represent a fraction of the rapidly growing e-bike market. According to a 2021 article in the New York Times, “industry experts put the number of e-bikes Americans brought home in 2020 somewhere around half a million […] and that growth does not seem to be slowing” (Surico, 2021). The pandemic has certainly played a role in this trend, as the article notes that e-bike sales increased by “145 percent from 2019 to 2020, more than double the rate of classic bikes” (Surico, 2021).

E-bikes are most prominent in urban areas and college campuses, where trips are generally short. Having an electric bike or scooter allows you to get places much faster and with less effort than walking, but it allows you to run on your own schedule whereas you would otherwise have to wait and pay for a bus, train, Uber, etc.

Furthermore, bike and scooter sharing services like Spin and Bird that let you pick up an electric bike or scooter anywhere have definitely played a role in the explosion of the market. Personally, I loved riding Spin bikes around campus as they got me places quickly while providing a fun experience, but I frequently found myself frustrated with technical glitches on the app not allowing me to leave the bikes in certain places, and not to mention having to pay for every ride was not great. However, after being exposed to Spin bikes, I ended up getting my own e-bike which has provided all the thrills and convenience of an electric bike with none of the hassles that come with purchasing a ride every time I want to use it. Having my own electric bike has definitely changed my college experience for the better, especially being on a large campus here at Penn State.

Electric bikes are not exactly cheap, but there certainly is a wide variety to choose from and therefore a large range in prices that can make purchasing one more affordable. Additionally, electric scooters offer a good compromise between price and functionality, as they are typically much less expensive than e-bikes and can still get you places much faster than walking. Would you purchase an electric bike or scooter? Why or why not?

source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/08/business/e-bikes-urban-transit.html

In class, we watched a bit of The Social Dilemma which highlights how big tech companies gather your information to make revenue. To help understand this, I will analyze the findings of the documentary which students at Syracuse University compiled.

As mentioned in class, we become the product when we use free services such as Google or Facebook. Nothing is entirely free on these sites. Syracuse University agrees with this and mentions that big tech companies “sell our attention to the highest bidders” (Syracuse University). This unfortunate fact brings an ethical dilemma to those involved in capturing our information and online data. Those that work in such businesses are known as “Attention Merchants” and make money by exploiting the mind of their customers (Syracuse University). Tim Wu, a professor at Columbia University explains that “Attention Merchants,” and their addictive business models, are the result of “distraction sickness” (Syracuse University). “Distraction sickness” is the feeling some people get, myself included, when you do not have access to mindless clicking on your phone (Syracuse University). It is interesting that social media has become so addictive that it is associated with a sickness!

Another interesting aspect of Syracuse’s findings is that social media exploits the weaknesses of the human mind (Syracuse University). How many times have you checked your phone after posting something on Instagram or Facebook? Psychologists say that dopamine is released when we see that someone has liked our post or tagged us in a photo (Syracuse University). Another interesting finding is that those who check a social media site at least 58 times per week are likely to feel more depressed and isolated (Syracuse University).

It is disturbing to know that social media sites use our attention to gain revenue. As time progresses, it will be interesting to see if the government regulates the use of our data by big tech companies. Who knew psychology, business, social media, and technology would be so intertwined?

3 Things We Learned About Social Media from Netflix’s “The Social Dilemma”

When most young Gen-Z are asked, “What is your favorite app?” most will say TikTok. It’s a fun app in which you can connect with other users and make fun videos. It is even popular with older audiences. In fact, according to Influencer Marketing Hub, 48% of users are between the ages of 18-29. Most think that TikTok is harmless and won’t think twice about its Terms of Service. However, if users knew that they were collecting their information, would users think twice about using the app?

Last year, TikTok faced a lawsuit by the former children’s commissioner for England, Anne Longfield, stating that they were collecting the information of millions of children. BBC claims, “TikTok takes children’s personal information, including phone numbers, videos, exact location and biometric data…”. Another issue is that they don’t make it clear to the user that they are collecting this data. This case has also been brought to the US. If you used the app prior to September 30, 2021, you are entitled to the $92 million settlement, but is that enough?

After looking through TikTok’s Privacy Policy for Younger Users, they state, “…collect only limited information, including username, password, and birthday.” TikTok uses this information to serve personalized content and “conceptualized advertising”. However, they state that they still share Younger Users’ information with “our corporate group and with service providers as necessary for them to perform a business purpose, professional service, or technology support function for us.” I think this is a step in the right direction; they are being transparent that they are sharing their information, but I still don’t think it is appropriate due to their age.

I still think TikTok should do more to protect the privacy and safety of their younger audiences. For example, someone under the age of 13 can have an account if they claim that the account is run by a parent or guardian. I think they still shouldn’t be able to have an account because the majority of the time the account isn’t run by an adult. What do you think, should TikTok do more to protect child privacy?

Sources:
https://influencermarketinghub.com/tiktok-stats/#:~:text=According%20to%20their%20survey%2C%2048,are%20aging%20with%20the%20app.
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-56815480

How to claim TikTok data privacy settlement: Users entitled to share of $92m

https://www.tiktok.com/legal/privacy-policy-for-younger-users?lang=en