Let's fix things 08 - The Kobayashi Maru and ethics of connected devices

Let's fix things

This week Guus and Joe ramble and discuss Pokemon Go more than they should, looking at how consumers will trade off privacy and security for convenience and fun - although should companies encourage this trade off, or assist in protecting consumer privacy? Joe discusses the first Tesla automatic driver death and the challenge of devices that make life and death decisions. Linking the ethical challenge of connected devices to the Kobayashi Maru - a concept introduced in Star Trek which placed star fleet officers in unwinnable situations to understand how they react under stress.

The conversations then bounced between connected devices and wearables, and their often lackluster security. Guus looks at potential issues with data from wearables being used by insurance companies to exploit and incent users, while Joe argues that people will continue over time to give up data as long as they get a personally beneficial return. The duo look high level and who is responsible when data leaks or is used against consumers, and if everything is forgiven if companies are up front in explaining their technology is new and problems may occur, especially providing a "user at your own risk".

Show links

• Russian on encryption: https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160708/07535134919/putin-says-all-encryption-must-be-backdoored-two-weeks.shtml
• Mall robot knocks over child: https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160708/07535134919/putin-says-all-encryption-must-be-backdoored-two-weeks.shtml
• Bitdefender on IoT: https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160708/07535134919/putin-says-all-encryption-must-be-backdoored-two-weeks.shtml
• Pokémon Go (just one of many): https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160708/07535134919/putin-says-all-encryption-must-be-backdoored-two-weeks.shtml
• Wearables and insurance: https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160708/07535134919/putin-says-all-encryption-must-be-backdoored-two-weeks.shtml
• Fitbit hack: https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160708/07535134919/putin-says-all-encryption-must-be-backdoored-two-weeks.shtml

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