The fairytale of anonymous movement profiling

Skybird · 03-31-13, 05:45 PM

http://www.nature.com/srep/2013/1303...76.html#auth-1

Some days ago I read about this study in another source that cellphone movement patterns allow more precise and unique identification of persons than fingerprints.

Also consider that not only this but every button pressed, ever, is being stored somewhere, forever.

And nobody has any control over where it is stored, and fro what it is being used. And on this, I would be more concerned about what it will be used for in the future than what it is being used for already now.

It needs a great amount of naivety or a great lack of imagination not to be worried about these things unfolding.

Some years ago I read about an Israeli project that claims to be able to establish psychological character profiles by movement patterns of this type - and to predict if somebody becomes or is a terrorist threat or not.

the_tyrant · 03-31-13, 06:28 PM

movement profiling?
I'm pretty sure many places do this already, most notably casinos. They know exactly where you are within the building at any given time.

The next step is big data predictive analytical analysis.
Watch this:

Ok, the commercial is a bit misleading. IBM hasn't invented the precrime division (yet). What they are simply doing, is that through analyzing patterns for extended periods of time, they can successfully predict where crime is most likely to occur at a give time. Thus, optimizing police deployments.

Skybird · 03-31-13, 06:50 PM

You seem to have misunderstood the point. The German summary that linked me to this study shows that only four datapoints in your past months' and years' record of movement tracking are sufficient to identify your person as if you would have given a fingerprint.

The Israelis are about building psychological profiles of your character on basis of your movement record. They - at least claimed - to be able to even predict by your data whether you are or become a terrorist or not.

Google, Facebook and the like establish not only consumer histories but either they or their customers - companies - establish psychological profiles as well. Obviously you can do much more with such data than just personalising advertisment. An employer for example can ask such a profile of a candidate whether he would be a reliable, solid worker, or not. Insurers could ask whether you are a personality that tends to take risks (health and sports), or not.

And since all this stuff is recorded on US servers and is object of American laws, it is stored for virtually forever. That means if you ever, in the future, become effected by for example a crime case and you are under suspicion, data from 15 years ago could be used to investigate against you or maybe even form a case against you.

Movement profiling is NOT the casino security knowing where you are inside the building, and checking you on monitors. It is identification, and character profiling through your movement behavior.

Companies and governments will - and already do - abuse these data, no doubt. The possibilities from this are terrifying. We could as well chip newborn babies and add behavior altering drugs into the sweet water supply system.

Oberon · 03-31-13, 07:56 PM

Well, there's no going back. Privacy is becoming a thing of the past, along with all its benefits and drawbacks. Those who fear and object to it are in the minority, the steamroller will not be stopped.
I dare say in a few generations there will be a post or virtual discussion somewhere along a similar vein about a similar emergent monitoring technology.
Technology marches on, whether we want it to or not.

Oh, and in regards to chips, I give it ten years at most...and stuff in the water...probably already happening.

u crank · 04-01-13, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Well, there's no going back. Privacy is becoming a thing of the past, along with all its benefits and drawbacks. Those who fear and object to it are in the minority, the steamroller will not be stopped.
I dare say in a few generations there will be a post or virtual discussion somewhere along a similar vein about a similar emergent monitoring technology.
Technology marches on, whether we want it to or not.

Oh, and in regards to chips, I give it ten years at most...and stuff in the water...probably already happening.

I agree and I wonder what law abiding citizens are worried about. As you say technology marches on. Try to live without a cell phone, computer, bank card etc. It can be done but to what end. It's a part of life and will be more and more. The younger generation thinks nothing of it.

I also wonder about catching a potential terrorist by this kind of monitoring. A really dumb terrorist maybe. Since this is public knowledge it would certain that precautions would be taken. And if they do prevent an attack all the better. Security comes at a price. And if your the kind of person who worries that you are going to be dragged off by men in black uniforms, well there are two choices. The blue pill or the red pill.

Skybird · 04-01-13, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u crank

I wonder what law abiding citizens are worried about.

No comment.

03-31-13, 05:45 PM	#1
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	The fairytale of anonymous movement profiling http://www.nature.com/srep/2013/1303...76.html#auth-1 Some days ago I read about this study in another source that cellphone movement patterns allow more precise and unique identification of persons than fingerprints. Also consider that not only this but every button pressed, ever, is being stored somewhere, forever. And nobody has any control over where it is stored, and fro what it is being used. And on this, I would be more concerned about what it will be used for in the future than what it is being used for already now. It needs a great amount of naivety or a great lack of imagination not to be worried about these things unfolding. Some years ago I read about an Israeli project that claims to be able to establish psychological character profiles by movement patterns of this type - and to predict if somebody becomes or is a terrorist threat or not. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

03-31-13, 06:28 PM	#2
the_tyrant Admiral Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 2,272 Downloads: 58 Uploads: 0	movement profiling? I'm pretty sure many places do this already, most notably casinos. They know exactly where you are within the building at any given time. The next step is big data predictive analytical analysis. Watch this: Ok, the commercial is a bit misleading. IBM hasn't invented the precrime division (yet). What they are simply doing, is that through analyzing patterns for extended periods of time, they can successfully predict where crime is most likely to occur at a give time. Thus, optimizing police deployments. __________________ My own open source project on Sourceforge OTP.net KGB grade encryption for the rest of us

03-31-13, 06:50 PM	#3
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	You seem to have misunderstood the point. The German summary that linked me to this study shows that only four datapoints in your past months' and years' record of movement tracking are sufficient to identify your person as if you would have given a fingerprint. The Israelis are about building psychological profiles of your character on basis of your movement record. They - at least claimed - to be able to even predict by your data whether you are or become a terrorist or not. Google, Facebook and the like establish not only consumer histories but either they or their customers - companies - establish psychological profiles as well. Obviously you can do much more with such data than just personalising advertisment. An employer for example can ask such a profile of a candidate whether he would be a reliable, solid worker, or not. Insurers could ask whether you are a personality that tends to take risks (health and sports), or not. And since all this stuff is recorded on US servers and is object of American laws, it is stored for virtually forever. That means if you ever, in the future, become effected by for example a crime case and you are under suspicion, data from 15 years ago could be used to investigate against you or maybe even form a case against you. Movement profiling is NOT the casino security knowing where you are inside the building, and checking you on monitors. It is identification, and character profiling through your movement behavior. Companies and governments will - and already do - abuse these data, no doubt. The possibilities from this are terrifying. We could as well chip newborn babies and add behavior altering drugs into the sweet water supply system. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

03-31-13, 07:56 PM	#4
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Well, there's no going back. Privacy is becoming a thing of the past, along with all its benefits and drawbacks. Those who fear and object to it are in the minority, the steamroller will not be stopped. I dare say in a few generations there will be a post or virtual discussion somewhere along a similar vein about a similar emergent monitoring technology. Technology marches on, whether we want it to or not. Oh, and in regards to chips, I give it ten years at most...and stuff in the water...probably already happening.