A Snap Shot into your Information

According to CNN, Google has developed a face recognition software that could possibly take technology up an entire notch.  It works to where someone can take a picture of you through the usage of the app and then the software will then match the picture up with your pictures on your Google Profile.   With the match a complete stranger could possibly get your user name, address, phone number, and other contact information.  Many are frightened about that information getting out to the public because that information can link an outsider to a person's social networks, financial information, occupation, and where they currently are located.  In the Buzz Out Loud Podcast 1439, titled "Google Wants Your Face, the hosts, Brian Tong and producer Benito Gonzalez bring up the fact that this could change how people act in public because they could be in fear of people taking their picture and getting their information.  One snap can make a person lose all of their privacy and potentially their identity.

Google is currently denying the accusations saying that they do not intend on releasing such a type of software in the near future.  One of Google's spokesmen has responded to CNN's accusations as being "purely speculative." Even though they deny having the software it is evident that they are completely capable of creating it.  They currently have an app referred to as Google Goggles that uses object recognition.  A person can snap a photo of a building or landmark and the app can then trace the name of the building and where the building is located.  If they can do this with objects there is a strong possibility that they can also do this with a person's picture.  There is also said to be face recognition devices within Google Picassa that helps users identify friends and family members already within their current photo library.

Though this face recognition software is scary to many people it can be helpful to some.  It could possibly aid in globalization and shorten the amount of time it takes for a business to gather critical information.  For instance, one might not have to fill out all of the paper work at the doctor's office, hospital, or dentist anymore because this facial recognition app could gain it all from their photo.  With improved privacy techniques this app might not be as bad as expected.  We believe that if there was a way for us to approve who our information is giving too it would make it not as risky.  Google could possibly send a request notification to our email after someone takes our picture and allow us to deny or accept it, which is similar to how Facebook does things.  With greater technology comes more responsibility and Google will have to work out some privacy kinks before it is released to the public.

If you would like to learn more about this military operation you can visit: 

http://techland.time.com/2011/03/31/googles-facial-recognition-app-take-my-photo-get-my-contact-info/

http://www.webpronews.com/google-face-recognition-app-in-development-2011-03 

Spies on Facebook? Yes, It is True.

Social networking is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on building and reflecting of social relations among people. If you like to use social networks like Facebook and Twitter, you already know that you will sometimes get a friend request from someone you may not know and that nobody else you know is in contact with.  Many times it is some marketing scam that you just ignore.  On some occasions, it is a hacker who got into a friend's account and is trying to hack further. In the Buzz Out Loud Podcast 1429: Spies on Facebook? Yes, it’s true, the hosts, Molly Wood, Brian Tong, and Steven Beechum, talk for a few minutes about how the US military is planning on using software that is used to create fake online personas to manipulate social media, which are called “sock puppets”. “Welcome to the next generation spy,” says Brian Tong that will use only the internet for this purpose. This operation will allow the US to spread more pro-American propaganda in other countries by using these “sock puppets” to influence internet conversations.  It is said that the U.S. military’s main objective for developing this program is to be “the first with the truth”.  The U.S. military is implementing this program, which is said to be part of Centcom’s “Operation Earnest Voice”, in hopes to prevent any recruiting or training of suicide bombers, keep enemies from having any safe havens, and respond quicker to terrorists ideology and propaganda.  These fake profiles will make it look like the servicemen and woman operating the persona belong to their social network region or area that they are targeting so that the “sock puppets” will be more likely to be accepted by the person they are trying to influence.  Bill Speaks, spokesman Commander for Centcom, did, however, express that this program is not going to be used to target any English-based social media websites, like Twitter or Facebook.   Nevertheless, this operation could potentially cause the military persona management to face legal challenges if it somehow turns against U.S. citizens.  It is illegal for anyone in the United States to pretend to be someone they are not, and there have already been a number of people prosecuted for sock puppetry.  Hopefully the military has not opened up a can of worms by making this operation public.  Although it is illegal to pretend to be someone you are not by making a fake profile, people should still be cautious with who they add on Facebook and Twitter.  You should never trust anyone on Facebook or Twitter you do not know personally because it could be a hacker, con artist, or even the government.


If you would like to learn more about this military operation you can visit
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/mar/17/us-spy-operation-social-networks  
http://www.centcom.mil/en/about-centcom/posture-statement/

Buzz Out Loud - Podcast 1416 "Think Before You Like"

     We have all been surfing the web at one time or another and come across the little "Like" button at the end of an article. Clicking on this button will automatically post a link to the article to your Facebook profile. Facebook recently added some enhancement to this feature. In the Buzz Out Loud Podcast 1416, titled "Think Before You Like," the hosts, Molly Wood, Brian Tong, and producer Benito Gonzalez, talk a little about the differences between the new way Facebook posts your link and the old way.

     In the past, clicking on the Like button at the end of an article would post a simple, usually one line link containing the title of the article. Now, when you click on the Like button, Facebook goes a little further, what Brian Tong calls, "A little more engaging." Clicking on the Like button now will post a link to your Facebook page with not only the title of the article, but also an image from the web page with a short mini-description of the article, maybe five to ten lines instead of five to ten words.

     Why would Facebook go through the trouble just to enhance such a feature? Well, it is common knowledge to some now that Facebook makes their money through marketing your preferences to advertisers. An enhancement of such a feature may give a more accurate profile of your "Likes" and allow Facebook to provide more accurate information about your personal preferences to their advertising partners.

     There are many people out there that are quick to click the Like link below another friend's posting of something that they like. With the new improvements Facebook has implemented, now people may have a chance to "Think before you like," as Molly Wood described it. With a better, longer description of the article and also a picture to go along with it, maybe some of those people will be able to make a more accurate decision on whether or not they actually "Like" the article.
     On the other hand, these "improvements" to the Like feature may entice others who may not have initially liked the article to like it after seeing a brief description of the article along with a picture. Clicking the Like button effectively allows a consumer to be profiled and tracked on the internet. For some, this may not be such a good thing. Creating a profile of your interests for advertisers allows some of them to "spam" you with unwanted solicitations, which could possibly be used to steal your personal information or even your identity.

     Facebook's business strategy of using freeconomics - providing free goods or services to consumers to gain a competitive advantage - can be clearly seen here. By giving people free access to their services and effectively hiding their money-making utility under a Like link, they are able to track the people using Facebook and provide some valuable information to advertisers. Improvements to the Like button feature, which allows people to make a better decision on what they actually like or not, could possibly add a significant amount of value to the information that is provided by Facebook to the advertisers. Insidefacebook.com claims that, "The change gives more prominence to outbound links in the news feed and on a user's wall, and so will increase referral traffic and draw more sites to add the Like button. They also suggest that the new Like features may altogether phase out the Share feature, showing how Facebook is using innovation to stay on top of their industry. By allowing you to use their services and to "Like" things for free and continuing to innovate their business, Facebook is able to effectively use information systems to succeed in the digital world.