Nike+ iPod Used For Surveillance

Thib writes "Researchers at the University of Washington have published a report detailing many easy and cheap ways the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit previously discussed on Slashdot can be used to track individuals, even when they are not carrying their iPod. They have even implemented a Google Maps application to display surveillance data in real time." From the article: "'Our research also shows that there exist simple cryptographic techniques that the Nike+iPod Sport Kit designers could have used to improve the privacy-preserving properties of the Nike+iPod kit,' the group reports. 'Our work underscores the need for a broad public discussion about and further research on the privacy-preserving properties of new wireless personal gadgets,' the group reports. 'We stress, however, that there is no evidence that Apple or Nike intended for these devices to be used in any malicious manner. Additionally, neither Apple nor Nike endorsed this study.'"

Comments

sensor can detect the presence of a person. wow.

[iowannaski]

For about the price of a webcam, you can remotely violate only 1 person's privacy - and all you can do is detect their presence.

Groundbreaking stuff, really.

Next up on YRO: Intrepid humans use eyeballs to invade privacy from distances of up to 100M!

Re:how is this different?

[Jahz]

Watch out for that guy jogging 50 feet behind you with a laptop satchel on his shoulder and a high-gain antennae in his hand!