Online Review; Surveillance in light of Apple's patent on spyware

This is the fourth in a series of posts for ARIN6903 – Exploring Digital Cultures – with the objective to write a series of online reviews related to topics covered in the class.

This week I will touch on the subject of “surveillance” in a different kind of way, using a recent occurrence, Apple’s granted patent on spyware.


Apple has been granted a (worldwide) patent to identify unauthorized users of the iPhone (Patent :). It’s been said that Apple will only use this ‘surveillance’ technology to trace iPhone users that have tinkered with and/or jailbroken their iPhone.

This ‘surveillance’ practice has been coined ‘traitorware’ by watchdog organizations (Davidson. 2010).

What may happen in the future is that, Apple can shut down your iPhone or iPad once they conduct their own due diligence, such as matching or recording your voice, take images, or even detect and record your heartbeat. Once the company determines that you are the unauthorized user, they can shut down your device and remotely store your personal data (Samuels. 2010).

The real issue here is more of another nature. As Michel Foucault (1977. in: Lanham. 2004) states that this relates more to bringing discipline into society, and this may be brought into by an individual or an organization. In the occurrence here, it’s Apple that is exerting its power, using its technology. And, this goes broader and links to cultural, societal, economical, and juridical-political implications to those users. It is the knowledge and personal data that will gain Apple power over others.

It is agreed that you should not tamper with proprietary devices, but once you own the device aren’t you allowed to use it to your own discretion? Back in July 2010, the US court ruled that users are allowed to tinker with or jailbreak their own device (AP. 2010). Nevertheless, Apple deems differently. That being said, do we need to maintain the relationship with the proprietor of the device and use all their preferred providers in our attempt to complement our lives? I feel strongly that we shouldn’t. In the past we have derived from a monopolistic business model, because it is not one in which society strives. Therefore, Apple becoming our watchdog, and dictates our freedom of use and communication, is potentially invasive.



References:

AP (2010). Jailbroken - now iPhones are for porn, too (Internet). Accessed on August 26. 2010. Viewed from Additional news

Davidson, H. (2010) Apple 'traitorware' can take your photo and shut down your jailbroken iPhone, iPad (Internet). Accessed on August 26, 2010. Viewed from traitorware

Foucault, M. (1977) ‘Panopticism’. In Kaplan, D.M. (ed.) Readings in the philosophy of technology. (2004) Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Samuels, J. (2010) Steve Jobs Is Watching You: Apple Seeking to Patent Spyware (Internet). Accessed on August 26, 2010. Viewed from Apple seeking patent