Back to Basics

Your car is capturing data …

That smart car is smarter than you think. The on-board diagnostic system that continually adjusts engine operating functions to maximize performance and captures faults within the system is also capable of reporting your driving performance to the authorities.

Answering questions that can be used against you in case of an accident. Information involving, speed, direction, throttle position, braking activities – not to mention whether you were wearing seat belts and what electronic devices (phone, radio, cd, iPod) might have been in use?

All which can be made available by subpoena in the case of a lawsuit. To be used to incriminate you; possibly to be used by your insurance company to deny you claim for damages.

Your mobile device is capturing data …

That phone or computer device is smarter than you think. Not only transmitting your location to keep you connected, but transmitting data which can place you at the scene of a crime – possibly to be interrogated by the authorities as a suspect or a witness. That is, in addition to tracking your purchases and your associations with other electronically-tethered people.

That benign game may not be so benign …

Social media activities where you broadcast your location and invite people to join you or where you broadcast your personal preferences and purchases can all serve to attract people who do not wish you well. Especially if you have just stepped out of a high-end shop with expensive electronic, jeweler or other goods.

And now your medicine may be capturing data …

According to published reports in Reuters, “Novartis AG plans to seek regulatory approval within 18 months for a pioneering tablet containing an embedded microchip, bringing the concept of ‘smart-pill’ technology a step closer.”

“The biotech start-up’s ingestible chips are activated by stomach acid and send information to a small patch worn on the patient’s skin, which can transmit data to a smartphone or send it over the Internet to a doctor.”

“[Trevor Mundel, Novartis Global Head of Development] said the initial project was focused on ensuring that patients took drugs at the right time and got the dose they needed — a key issue for people after kidney and other transplant operations, when treatment frequently needs adjustment.”

“Longer-term, he hopes to expand the ‘smart pill’ concept to other types of medicine and use the wealth of biometric information the Proteus chip can collect, from heart rate and temperature to body movement, to check that drugs are working properly.”

Is the Fifth Amendment dead?

“No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

Bottom line …

The misuse of information is becoming extremely problematical; especially misuse that goes beyond identity theft into the realm of jeopardizing your life, liberty and property.