Your Digital Footprint

Your voice – the newest member of personal digital data.

Our vocal cords are now an instrument for the digital age. Our voice is transformed into digital content in two ways. Voice assist that allows you to active a device hands free. And voice security, uses your vocal cords as a unique identifier for a user.

Lets start with voice assist. Simply put it is a hands free device waiting for your next command. These devices can listen carefully and translate your speech into text, assist in turning a device on or off, or taking dictation. It decodes the human voice without having to use a keyboard, mouse, or press any buttons.

As we fill our homes with appliances that are smart/connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth we give ourselves more freedom by providing the ability to control the device with our voice.

Technology has increased the confidence factor in understanding the intent of the request. Smart technology weeds out the ‘ums and hums’ from the dictation or command. Eliminating the unnecessary words, allowing people to speak naturally in a comfortable conversation with a device.

The most interesting and beneficial things about Voice Assist is the ability to be hands-free. We can now turn lights on/off by shouting across the room, instead of walking over to the wall switch. We set kitchen timers with our voice when our hands are messy or full.

Voice assist tools (like Amazon Echo, Google Home Assist, Apple Siri & Comcast TV remote) use a wake word to activate the beginning of a request. A wake word is a word that signals the device become active and is followed with a request. For the Amazon Echo, there are a handful of wake words the factory installs, you pick one during the set up. The most popular is “Alexa.” A typical request may be “Alexa, what time is it?” She will respond with an answer.

These devices are always on, waiting for the wake word. And like any connected device, there are security factors to address. If the device is always listening, the bad guys can also hack into the device and listen, without your knowledge. Similar to a baby monitor.

And if the device controls other home applications is the possible the hacker can gain control and manipulate the gadget.

To continue to protect yourself, always reset the factory passwords in any device. This may not prevent all hacking but make it hard for them to access your personal devices.

If you are wondering what data is stored, Amazon states the only history recorded from the Echo devices are requests and answers provided by Echo. To date, Amazon has stated that they have not released any access of anyone’s Echo activity to the government. Amazon reports it only stores the data accessed by its cloud-based storage system and does not consistently record or listen when not in use. However, in theory, a government agency could request a warrant to listen in even before you use the wake work.

Another use of your voice becoming data is thru biometrics. Biometrics is the means of verifying a personal identity thru physical characteristics, much like a fingerprint or retinal scan, your voice can be used as an identifier.

Voice security systems store your voice print data similar to a fingerprint and can be used to authorize or verify an individual. It is another form personal identify, much like a drivers license. It can distinguish similar voices from one other. Banks have been using voice recognition as a second step validation process for clients over the phone for over a decade.

Today voice assist devices do not use your voice a security mechanism. But they are getting smarting, providing the ability to distinguish between different voices in a household. So that when you ask it to “read my horoscope,” it knows who is asking and reads the correct zodiac sign.

To keep your voice assist devices safe:

- Know what devices are always on, and always listening.
- Watch what you say around a voice assist device.
- Change all factory passwords on all devices.
- Give each device a unique password.

Top Ten Data Thoughts

your digital foot print is every where
if it’s free you are the product
be aware of how data is used, collected, stored and shared
data is not free and loyalty is not cheap
include your digital assets in your estate planning
backup – only important when you need it
everything has history see #1
change your passwords often – think of it as a key to your house
identity thief is almost anticipated, have a monitoring plan
set up alerts for changes and/or activity on important data and accounts

Net Neutrality

On July 12, 2017 – Amazon, Reddit, Netflix, and many other internet organizations announced that they would hold a simultaneous “Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality” on July 12 in a final attempt to persuade the Republican-controlled FCC to keep the current net neutrality rules.

Net Neutrality is the idea that all ISPs (internet service providers) should treat all data on the internet the same. It states cost, network performance, speeds, movement of data or throttling should be equal and cannot be blocked or discriminate based on the user, content, platform or application.

In 2015, the U.S. Government classified ISPs as a “common commodity,” and regulated under the FCC’s Title II policy. Title II governs all common utility entities on what services they must offer, to whom, and at what rates. (Other common utilities include water, gas, telephones.) Customer privacy and data laws fall under the jurisdiction of the FTC.

The GOP wants to roll back Title II, allowing internet access as a competitive, dynamic market, not a static utility. But this would also enable the ISPs to control content, cost, speed, or access to their users. Possible limiting access to a competitor’s sites, allowing you to only access content from their own opinions, news stories, or partners. Or slowing download times of varying content, prioritizing sites and articles that support their view(s). These rules may affect the innovation of IoT (internet of things), preventing the ability to connect devices in your home via the internet.

The GOP says they want to start from scratch regarding the regulations around internet access and create a clear new policy for ISPs. The internet is transforming human behavior at a quick pace. Today’s statutes and rules are playing catch up to the marketplace’s innovations. These regulations are an evolving process.

On May 18, 2017 – The FCC voted 2-1 to start rolling back net neutrality regulations; this vote marked the beginning of a lengthy process required to modify the existing rules, and it did not change said rules.

The questions you should ask yourself: should we regulate the internet like a standard utility? Should internet service providers be governed to provide equal service to all communities and all content? (Note: this does not include illegal activities.) Do companies have a right to throttle broadband usage based on their priorities?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: To make things slightly more confusing, the FCC regulates ISPs, and the FTC regulates services such as Facebook, Uber, and Google. The FTC also enforces laws regarding hacking (online and office line), customer data privacy, and protects children’s laws (i.e., inappropriate content).

See who visits your Facebook page

Manual Method To Check Who Visited My Facebook

Open Your FB timeline and copy URL – facebook.com/abc.
Right click on your browser and click “View page Source”.
You will get redirected to a new page with lots of HTML/CSS/Javascripts codes.
Hold CTRL+F (or Command+F on Mac) on your keyboard, a text box appears at the right corner, in that box, type- “InitialChatFriendsList” (Don’t include Quotes)
Next to that, you’ll see a list of numbers, these are actually profile IDs’s of people or your friends who visit your FB timeline.
Just go to “facebook.com” and paste the ID number beside it with a “\” . For example, if the ID is abcd, you have to put it as- facebook.com/abcd.
The first ID shows the one who visits profile more often while the last ID never visits your profile

FOR SALE: Your internet browsing history

President Donald Trump signed legislation 4/3/2017 killing privacy rules that would have required internet service providers, broadband and other telecommunications services to get your explicit consent before they share or sell your web browsing history and other sensitive information.

The rules were approved in the final months of President Barack Obama’s administration but hadn’t taken effect yet. Under the bill Trump signed they never will – and the FCC isn’t allowed to try to pass new rules.

The FCC regulates ISPs and the FTC regulates services such as Facebook, Uber and Google.

Which VUI devices do you use?

VUI (voice user interface) is a device that on command using human voice to communicate. Another word for this is intelligent voice agent or voice assistance.

Technology has increased the confidence factor in understanding the intent of the request from the speaker. Programs have been built to weed out the ‘ums and hums’ from the dictation. Eliminating the unnecessary words from the speaker. allowing people to speak naturally in a comfortable conversation of setting with technology.

Like any other data, there is a security factor to be aware of. The devices are always on and listening which can allow for hackers to listen in. Also data is passing thru the servers the input and output from questions asked and information given. The device is active when a wake word is used. (For example, Alexa is mostly used as the wake word for the Echo device.)

You can reference the criminal case with evidence from Amazon echo.

To date Amazon has not released any access of anyone’s echo to the government. Amazon currently reports it only stores the data access by its cloud-based storage system. However in theory a government agency could request to listen in even before you use the wake work. A warrant is necessary by a federal judge to access this information, same as phone records and email. Although the Net Neutrality laws will give permission for providers to sell access history, making it accessible in aggregate information.

Location, location, location – it’s tracked as your data footprint

Did you know there are multiple features and apps on your smart phone that track your location data? This information to personalize your experience. In some instances you are capable of disabling this feature, and sometimes you don’t it’s just there.

This feature that stirred up a lot of commotion among tech fans who are concerned with privacy.

Apple says this data is well protected though, and it’s actually quite useful if you’re comfortable with it.

Want to see the places you visit most often – they are captured on your iPhone?

Go to Settings >
Privacy >
Location Services >
System Services >
Frequent Locations

You’ll see everywhere you’ve been recently. You can easily disable the feature if it makes you uncomfortable.

Other apps that use your location data: camera apps (location is embedded in the metadata), web browsers, maps, weather alerts, Facebook, Tinder. Programs can use a function called geo-location to help identify when you are close to their facility, they will use this data to send messaging (to you or an employee). One day, in the near future, we will have “instant check-in”, once your phone crosses the threshold, the system will be notified that you have arrived.

Why does a company have trouble identifying my two accounts?

By no means is this an excuse, it is only an explanation. As we advance the digital age, companies with legacy systems may have a difficult time recognizing you are the owner of two different accounts. The company had two individual systems that they ‘merged’ within their enterprise. Also has corporations grow, some departments may not have access to all the customer information, due to processes and/or legality. Its frustrating – feeling like you are caught in a loop, no one can help you completely and it is on your shoulders to untangle. A company may have a rewards program and a credit card program – these two teams may have struck guidelines regarding what information can be shared across departments.

Here are two examples I have experienced:

I had an store credit card with Macy’s (it was transferred from my store credit card from Hudson’s after their acquisition). The card sat unused for years. Needing some retail therapy, I saw Macy’s had great offers if you used your Macy’s credit card for the purchase. I was game.

At check out, the cashier informed me that I needed to ‘upgrade’ my account to a Macys/American Express card. The card I had in my hand was no longer valid. I really didn’t want to open an American Express card. I like limited the number of open accounts I have at one time. I just wanted the discount – I’ll use cash to pay for it.

I did open the account and purchased some Christmas gifts. They had some great sales. The statement arrived and I mailed in a check. The next month I received the statement missing the payment. I called, she found the error. The payment was applied to the closed account (giving it a credit) and the open account went unpaid. She took immediate took care of the problem in full. It was silly their systems let them apply a payment to a closed account, when there was an open account for the same person.

A long time ago I opened a traditional saving account with a bank that was in multiple states. At the time I traveled a lot, and we didn’t have the benefit of online banking. So I opened an account that appeared in all my travels. I later found out that although they were all the same bank in name, legalities were preventing customers from depositing money in one state and accessing it another. (P.S. This was a long time ago, and I’m sure a lot has changed.

Loyalty verse Rewards – the details are in the program.

I’ve been working in the business of customer programs for 20 years now, and there is still confusion in the difference between a Loyalty program and a Rewards program. Both are used to promote repeat business with customers. For the majority of these programs, you exchange your name, sales data (and sometimes more) in exchange for a benefit such as a discount on your purchase. They make look the same, but you can think of rewards as being friendly and loyalty as being a friend.

Rewards programs tend to be focused selling you more (buy 7 get one free, discounted tickets, or accumulate points by spending). Loyalty gets a bit trickier. Within loyalty there is a deeper exchange and usually a conversation. When you are loyal, you choose that vendor over another, you talk about it with your friends (positively, but not always). Loyalty has a trust factor saying “I like the way you do business.”

A communication channel (such asin-store, in-app, receipt, text messaging, alters, email, direct mail) is not a program. Although you as a customer have to explicitly opt-in to a program or communication channel. Both loyalty and rewards programs relay on a communication channel, a way to reach you directly to you. In most instances you agree to have an open communication to benefit from these programs. This is the loyalty companies are seeking. Whether it offers discounts for usage or free items, it is only a Loyalty Program if it creates a friendship with an individual.

The very best reference is from a friend.

What makes VUI new and unique – its hands-free!

VUI – Voice User Interface, is the audio equivalent of GUI ( graphical user interface = visual). VUI uses voice commands, giving us a conversational and hands-free experience. We have been using IVR for a long time, especially call centers (press or say 1 for location…) And remember the Clapper? (Clap on, Clap off, THE CLAPPER!) I used one for a long time, it wasn’t the most technical piece of equipment, but it was practical for me. Today I can ask my Echo to control multiple lights with having to clap my hands. And it is the best when you are elbow deep in the kitchen and need to set a timer.

Growing up int he 70s we changed the TV channel by getting up from the couch and twisting a dial on the TV set. Soon we had remotes controls (aka ‘the clicker’ – because of the clicking sound it made with the buttons). Today, you can opt for a voice controlled TV. A simple shout and the TV will turn on, off, or the change the channel.

It’s fascinating when we can turn hardware into software.

The other night I went to a UX presentation on VUI. With today’s technology the capabilities and functionalities for voice assistance are constantly developing new use cases.

VUI also called voice assistance or intelligent voice agent relays on speech recognition technology to provide a high confidence factor in understanding the ‘intent of the request’ from the speaker. Programs weed out the ‘ums and hums’ and other unnecessary words from the speaker.

Always-on allow the devices to respond when give a wake word or prompt. For my Echo (brand) device, the wake word is defaulted to Alexa (name).

Are you wondering about big brother, fraud or hacking? Like any other data points or apps that you use, there are security factors to be aware of.

First, VUI devices are ‘always-on’, this allows for the device to respond when necessary. But because it has the ability to listen – if someone was looking for a back door this could be it (remember when baby monitors were new). Keep your router and Wi-Fi secure, this will help eliminate intruders.

Second these devices create, collect and store your history data. Each request is captured similar to your browser search history and click thought and saved on cloud-based storage systems.

In both security cases, a warrant is needed before a government agency may request to listen in or see your history files from these VUI providers. It is similar to a request for a mobile phone call history. (To date – Feb 2017 – Amazon has not released any access of anyone’s Echo to the government.)

Another always-on device is Google Home. Applications such as Siri and Comcast’s voice remote control require you press a button to start the commands. Highlighting the hands-free benefit of always-on.

A ‘skill’ is a command using human voice to communicate. Echo recently released its open API at CES 2017 – it now has over 10,000 skills. By having an open API, it allows any developer to create skills that can integrate with other electronic devices. Like shouting from your bed to have Alexa to start brewing your coffee.

Next on the horizon is biometric voice identification. This voice recognition can distinguish who is talking or making the request. So when I say ‘play my favorite song’ it knows the difference between my favorite song and yours based on who gave the request.