Everyware - Privacy in the 21cent

Filed in archive Privacy on September 30, 2006

Privacy is already an issue today - but try to think 10 years into the future - into the world of ubiquitous computing (UC). UC means that we will not recognize that loads of computer are around us. But the computer will be aware of our location, our name, our movements and so on.

Adam Greenfield wrote a great book about it - "Everyware". A book that should be in every school right now. It is about the good and the bad things with RFID.

Good is for example: "everyone's favorite example is the washing machine that won't let you mix colors and whites." I would love that ;-)

Bad is the permanent control. And that's the problem I think. RFID is build as a control tool, not for enhanced possibilities. Something so inherent will not change and that means our privacy concerns will persist.

You should read this: Ethical guidelines for a world of invisible, endless machines

Or watch the videos of the Adam Greenfield event in Tokio.