Problem
How Tech Companies Deceive You into Giving Up Your Data and Privacy
Watch How Tech Companies Deceive You Into Giving Up Your Data and Privacy and answer the following questions:
A. What is the Cayla toy? Describe Cayla and identify the privacy issues that existed with this toy and ultimately led to it being banned in most countries. How does Cayla differ from popular devices like Echo and Siri?
B. Myrstad says that even if people do not purchase and keep flawed devices like Cayla in their homes, they are still not safe. What does he mean by this?
C. Why does Myrstad say that we all may have been lured into a false sense of security in regard to the many apps on our phones? How many apps do you have on your phone and of these apps, how many have you carefully and closely read the terms for? Explain.
D. Describe the experiment that Myrstad and his colleagues embarked on regarding phone apps and the terms associated with them. Why did Myrstad and his colleagues do this experiment? What did they find out?
E. Myrstad claims that "achieving informed consent is close to impossible," and he asks the question, "do you think it's fair to put the burden of responsibility on the consumer?" Myrstad says that he does not think this is fair-share your thoughts and opinion on the matter.
F. What privacy concerns or security concerns do you have based on what Myrstad described that he found about a popular dating app? Identify specific aspects of the terms and conditions that Myrstad notes that you find troubling and explain why. Would any of this keep you from joining a dating app in the future? Explain.
G. Identify and explain the commercial practices that Myrstad describes regarding financial loss, subconscious manipulation, and discrimination. Do any of these practices shock you or were you aware that these types of practices are happening, possibly to you? Explain.
H. Towards the end of his Ted Talk, Myrstad says, "Well, companies need to realize that by prioritizing privacy and security, they can build trust and loyalty to their users." Based on what you learned in this unit, what would you suggest to a company like the dating app that Myrstad examined or other businesses to improve their privacy and security and build trust and loyalty with their users?