One of China’s most popular video games is testing the use of facial recognition to check users’ ages. Honour of Kings’ publisher Tencent announced the move at the weekend. It said the trial would initially be limited to “thousands” of new players based in Beijing and Shenzhen. The title has been criticised in local media over claims… Read more »
Posts By: David Firth
‘A window into your life’: Why smart home devices might be putting your privacy at risk
All it took was a white van, a team of three hackers and a phishing email to remotely unlock Johanna Kenwood and Peter Yarema’s front door. The couple’s home in Oakville, Ont., is automated with a number of smart devices, including their lights, thermostat, security cameras and the deadbolt on their door. “I like the… Read more »
Privacy commissioner calling on wireless networks to plug security gap
Canada’s privacy watchdog is sounding the alarm about the threat of hackers intercepting mobile phone communications from a single phone number. In his annual report, Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien responded to an investigative report by Radio-Canada-CBC. “Thanks to a report broadcast last November by the CBC and the Radio Canada, we became aware of a security… Read more »
Siri is your new customer service rep
The folks behind some of the technology in Siri, the iPhone’s virtual personal assistant, are bringing their voice recognotion technology to customer service applications, including bank, cable and credit card smartphone apps. Nuance Communications (NUAN) last week announced the creation of “Nina,” a natural human language input software that is designed to understand customers’ questions about their… Read more »
NBA League Pass: Fans to be able to buy access to live fourth quarter action
A last-minute Champions League-winning goal, or a Ryder Cup-winning putt – how much would you pay to watch those sporting climaxes? If you’re an NBA fan, it will cost you very little. Starting this season, fans will be able to watch just the last quarter of a game “in real-time” for $1.99 Source: BBC Sports Date: September… Read more »
The cameras that know if you’re happy – or a threat
Facial recognition tech is becoming more sophisticated, with some firms claiming it can even read our emotions and detect suspicious behaviour. But what implications does this have for privacy and civil liberties? Facial recognition tech has been around for decades, but it has been progressing in leaps and bounds in recent years due to advances… Read more »
Privacy experts say choosing life insurance tied to fitness tracking could have unintended consequences
Insurance giant John Hancock, owned by Canadian company Manulife Financial Corp., announced Thursday a switch to “interactive” life-insurance policies only, which offer incentives for things like wearing a Fitbit or other fitness tracker. Source: CBC News Date: September 20th, 2018 Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/privacy-life-insurance-john-hancock-1.4833193 Discussion 1) When I read articles like this and people complain about “invasion of privacy”, I am always drawn to… Read more »
Meet the B.C. man who uses body-modifying technology to enhance physical capabilities
Russ Foxx strolls up to his home in Vancouver and lifts his arm to unlock his door — but instead of using keys, he simply waves the back of his hand near the knob until it clicks open. Foxx, 36, is able to do so because of a small transponder implanted just beneath his skin on his left… Read more »
The New Apple Watch Heart Monitoring Only Works in the U.S.
When Apple said its new Apple Watch heart monitoring capabilities were FDA cleared, they meant only FDA cleared, it seems. The new Apple Watch touts a fancy new ECG, or electrocardiogram, monitor. It’s the type of device that is medically advanced enough to need clearance before public consumer use. Apple actually only got FDA clearance a day before its big event… Read more »
Hologram phone calls – sci-fi or serious possibility?
High-speed 5G networks could lead to big changes in how we use our mobile phones, allowing us to enjoy virtual reality on-the-go, interactive live broadcasts, and even project holograms from our handsets. But will connection “not-spots” and high costs stop many of us reaping the benefits? Source: BBC Analysis Date: September 20th, 2018 Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45009458 Discussion 1) What practical and… Read more »
Leading Titles
Introduction to Information Systems, 3rd Canadian Binder Ready Version Update Edition
R. Kelly Rainer, Casey G. Cegielski, Ingrid Splettstoesser-Hogeterp, Cristobal Sanchez-Rodriguez
ISBN: 978-1-119-13385-8
August 2015, © 2016
CDN $98.95; CDN $114.95