Privacy, Xbox One, NSA, and More

Xbox One with the all-seeing Kinect.

The Xbox One, or Xbone, as many affectionately like to call it, is receiving a lot of flak for how it has handled the press and different release statements it has made, and rightly so. Even the Xbox fanboys of yore are seriously considering turning to the PS4 or PC gaming because of all the BS they've seen in these past 4 months.

First, the Xbox One release event was terrible. If you were to ask a layman what the event was about, they would think Microsoft was trying to pitch a new-fangled cable box. This is one of the many ways they are alienating their fan base, Another way is they are coming out with a DRM (Digital Rights Management) method so that the Xbone must connect to the internet every 24 hours in order to play the games you have bought. Yep, that's right. Of course, their whole front is piracy protection, but really all Microsoft wants to do is run the secondary game market out of business. Beyond that, it is rumored you can only transfer a game once and it must be to a friend that has been on your list for more than 30 days. No more late-night, craigslist-joyriding to buy a copy of your favorite video game at a sketchy gas station.

Fake Sony CEO Twitter account prodding fun

So far it does not look good for Microsoft and the Xbox camp. Which leads me into my next topic: the NSA. This past week we have heard a good deal about the NSA and its spy program called PRISM.

The True American Patriot

Whistleblower Eric Snowden, or as many are starting to hail him, "The True American Patriot", revealed the fact that at any given time, he was able to wiretap whomever he wanted from his desk; whether it be the president of the United States, Oprah, Joe the Plumber, or Sarah Palin's secret lover (if I read the Enquirer correctly).

Boom. Hacked

Not only were they able to listen in on phone conversations, but Snowden claims they were are able to intercept whatever form of communication they please. Including email, Facebook, texts, and much more. In fact, Microsoft has had relations with the U.S. government since 2007 . It is known that Skype, since purchased by Microsoft, has actually become less secure with various vulnerabilities allowed for so that the NSA can bring about justice, at least to your late night Skype date.

Is the NSA really worried about what individuals might be doing? Probably not. The law of large numbers allows some protection there, until you start automating the spying. Allowing massive supercomputers to act on algorithms to point out "alertable events". So even though the NSA can not employ an army of watchdogs, they will certainly be able to build the robots, if not already.

Thankfully, Mr. Snowden stepped in. But in the grand scheme of things, this will only be a minor roadblock in the way of government surveillance. With bills such as CISPA and SOPA/PIPA becoming regular

Write your congressman!

conversations in Congress, it's possible the government would want to intervene and put similar regulations in place. As the Patriot Act of a decade ago has crippled some of American's Liberties, these new cyber laws might cut them down further.

This plays out badly for Microsoft because of their partnership with the U.S. government. The release of the Xbox One in November and the rumor that the included Kinect might always have to be turned on illustrate an Orwellian nightmare waiting to unravel. Having a viewing party to watch Netflix on your TV streaming through your Xbox could result in to a hefty penalty, because by law you can only have 6 people watching one copy of a movie.  And don't get me started on those creepy ideas to implement commercials based on the ambient noises your Kinect picks up.

Privacy is becoming a luxury, and one that even money can't buy.

-Mi

Attention Senator Kohl

Attention Senator Kohl,

I am a concerned citizen from Kenosha County. It has come to my attention that you are in support of PIPA, or the Protect IP act. I understand that the United States senate will vote on this bill on the 24th of January. As my senator I strongly implore you to vote AGAINST PIPA. The effects of this bill, if passed, will have lasting detrimental effects on the growth and vitality of the internet. I understand that parts of this bill attempt to combat the legitimate problems of piracy and copyright violation. However, PIPA is worded so loosely it will harm many internet companies especially small ones. PIPA/SOPA will change the internet as we know it. Long gone will be the days of creativity, innovation and freedom that the internet delivers. Senator Kohl, I understand you will be retiring next Spring, and while reelection is a non issue for you, do not let this mar your record and legacy as a legislator. This bill transcends and impacts many aspects of an average Wisconsinites' life. The same Wisconsinites whom elected you to represent them in important matters such as this one. For example, students at UW-Madison, a world renowned research institution will have a harder time accessing important research information via the internet if PIPA is passed. How will they compete with the leading universities around the world if the internet, an integral tool of education, is throttled by legislation.

Senator Kohl, reconsider your decision, vote NO on S.968 (PIPA)

Respectfully,

Mi