IoT Data Creates Frankenstein Profiles Claiming to Be You

There are an estimated 20 – 30 billion “smart” internet of things (IoT) devices currently used in the world. Most of them are listening devices, meaning everything heard within the vicinity of the device is sent to cloud systems, analyzed, and actions are taken. This number is projected to increase to 75 – 100 billion by 2025. This data and results of artificial analysis (AI) using the words and conversations of people, and sounds, in the vicinity of the device are sent to numerous, sometimes thousands, of other third parties who then perform their own data AI and take even more actions.

In most cases profiles about the individuals are made using the IoT data and AI results that are used for making many assumptions about, then taking activities impacting, the associated individuals. Targeted marketing. Loan rates and approvals. Health determinations. Deciding who is a good or bad parent. Identifying pregnancies. The list is unlimited. Even real-life activities described in science fiction, such as determining those who, in the future, are likely to commit crimes, likely to get a disease, or likely to have some other significant impact. These projections are also sent to numerous entities. Those can include law enforcement, government agencies, home owners associations, political campaigns, marketers (of course!), and many others. Even ransomware gangs and other criminals are using these digital profiles to target their victims.

Wait, it gets worse! Around 10% - 25% of AI results are incorrect. And when considering people of color, this number increases, due to continuing problems with bias in AI. That translates to 2 – 7.5 billion current devices sending data about those in the vicinity of the devices, who then are having erroneous profiles made about them. And, possibly actions are being taken that will harm them in some way as a result. Digital personas that are Frankenstein creations resulting from often faulty AI resulting from the use of audio voices of others, and sounds around you!

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Turow, author of “The Voice Catchers: How Marketers Listen In to Exploit Your Feelings, Your Privacy, and Your Wallet,” discusses his in-depth and insightful research into this topic. Dr. Turow also provides many examples, and also provides some very good advice. Please join us for a very interesting and informative discussion!

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