RAVE, according to the article, Design for Privacy in Ubiquitous Computing Environments, is an environment where cameras, microphones, and speakers are placed in every office, where everyone will have their own personal RAVE node so people will be able to know what is going on in the building and is able to communicate with each other in the building without leaving their office. I was not aware we had this technology already exisiting and this is very frightening. Though in Europe, they stated that they were more comfortable with this technology and felt that there was more trust and their privacy would not be in danger, I feel that this technology can be easily misused and be abused to spy on other people without them knowing.
Two central ideas about Rave that make people trust is are, Feedback and Control. With Feedback, you know when people are getting information from you and what kind of people. With control, you can choose, what kind of information you send out and what kind of people can view it. These two ideas are central to providing people with security. However, These two ideas are great only if no one violates them. I do not know if it is easy to hack into a RAVE system, or what kind of system they use, but I am sure there will be software’s developed that enables people to hack into these RAVE system and let them spy on other people without them knowing. Once these software are developed than the whole system is at risk. Like the video we watched this week, it is not only the technology we should we wary of but of people themselves. The ones who are in charge of the RAVE security might compromise privacy. What if someone were to pay people to install an additional RAVE system of cameras, and microphones but without the control and Feedback. This is illegal, but could be done easily and if discovered people would not pay too much attention to it because they would just assume it is a legit RAVE microphone. In fact, they don’t even need to install a whole knew system of microphones, people can bribe programmers who create programs such as RAVE to leave a backdoor for hackers or other people to get into the system. Than there would be no Feedback or Control in the system.It does not even have to be bribing an individual or programmers to create flawed RAVE system. It may be a simple employee member himself who wants to spy on other people without getting caught. That employee member may simply design a program or download a program off a web that allows him to do such a thing. This may be related to the internet here in Binghamton. If living off campus, one will realize if they connect to a peer to peer file sharing program such as bittorent, then their internet connection will be reset and they will be unable to fileshare. However, IP blocker programs such as PeerGardian, blocks other people from seeing what kind of information you are sending out. It blocks other people from seeing your IP or what you are doing with your internet connection. I am sure as RAVE becomes more popular, those people who want more privacy will develop RAVE blockers and than the Feedback and Control system will be compromised.
It also may not be an intentional activity of an employee or an individual. Like the video states, security compromise is often physical. Another visitor, or stranger might just be visiting and have access to the RAVE system. People might bring in viruses that hijacks the RAVE system without employees noticing. The fact that this technology exist is a danger to privacy itself. In the book 1986, by George Orwell, the government had microphones, and videotapes everywhere in the houses and workplaces. They used these devices to prevent “crime” and to protect people. The invention of small microphones and videos might help communication and provide a convenience to people. However, the risk of losing privacy is too huge. The system is not fool proved and can be easily abused as shown above. It is very scary to be able to install videos, cameras into a room that can be used to monitor people’s actions.
