Mobile Un-Privacy

With the increasing ubiquity of smart mobile phones and devices, I intend to prove that meaningful data can be derived from the creation of ad-hoc social networks. My thesis is focused on the discovery of un-secure mobile data and security of mobile data transmissions.

I intend to show that sniffing un-secure personal data from Bluetooth enabled cell phones is not only possible, but configurable using my social software application; which allow people to create "zones" where their cell phone's ringer will be automatically be set to vibrate within a movie theatre or restaurant. I intend to show that we can to feel secure about the information that is being sent and received from cell phone as we are on the internet.

We must must take steps now to secure our privacy in the mobile space.

Upon coming to ITP, I quickly noticed the push amongst my peers to get to know each other. An experience that on the surface was no different than my first year in college, ran deeper than I thought. Email addresses, cell phone numbers, instant messenger names, home addresses; all of these pieces of identity were exchanged easily and without question. Throughout my coursework here at ITP and my professional work experience, I have been fascinated by what makes online communication between strangers possible.

Exploration of a social network yields relevant data about the structure of our digital society, yet how does one integrate, use, and detach from a social network in the real and vitual world? Maintaining privacy online and offline is a growing concern though only considered when problems arise. What is knowledge? Can you share it? How does one gather meaningful data about themselves compared with others, while not compromising their privacy?

Through my thesis, I wish to explore the creation of ad-hoc social networks. How are they created? How do they incite use? How do they allow people to readily share information with friends, friends of friends, and complete strangers? My hope is to create experiments where I can test what information people are comfortable sharing within certain physical settings.

There are many projects that I have worked on that have helped fund the grounds for my thesis exploration. While I intend on exploring the creation and use of ad-hoc networks through social software, I have been inspired by many classes, books, papers, Web Sites, and projects. Thinking About Networks, Social Software, Design Expo, Design Experience, Wireless Public Spaces, Theoretical Perspectives of Interactivity, and Designing Digital Products have all made me think more about the true design of social software. Jane Jacob's book: Death and Life of Great American Cities, Nelson's The Design of Everyday Things and others have also served as a background for my inquiry.

Anyone with a bluetooth enabled device. Anyone who uses the Internet. Anyone concerned about being marketed to. Anyone concerned about technology. Anyone interested in social software. Anyone who uses a Nokia mobile phone. Anyone curious about python. Anyone who wants to build a mobile application. Anyone concerned about their privacy.

A person walks into a space unaware of anyone's presence. Suddenly, the user is alerted that they have received a text message. Upon opening their SMS message, they are told that they are being sent a great new application to help them navigate the space they have entered. Upon accepting and installing the application, the user runs the app and soon sees information about the space. Comprised of images, text, and potentially audio - the user is unaware of the data loss on their mobile phone. A few minutes later - while the person is viewing the information on this great app - they are notified that their data has been hijacked. Before the user can be alarmed - the application assures them of their privacy - and points them to a kiosk to see what has been stolen. Made aware of the dangers of blind trust in mobile applications - the user is given materials to empower and protect their data.

The project is built of several components. A computer sits silently in a room quietly scanning for bluetooth devices. As devices enter a space - the application pushes a welcoming application to their device. Phone, Computer, or networked object (though currently only built for Series 60 Nokia Phones)- the device is sent a compiled Python script as a SIS file. Once installed - the phone application sends data to an internet server where the information is processed and displayed back to the user. While this may be considered a trojan horse/virus - this application is meant to empower the user to the dangers of trust, data, and the loss of privacy on the mobile internet.

Over the course of the semester - I learned a great deal more about programming on my cell phone. Learning python was quick and being able to rapidly prototype my ideas into an actual application was extremely helpful. Heeding some of the great lessons I've learned at ITP from people like Clay, Masamichi, Tom, Raffi, Doug, Marc - if you have an idea, build it quickly and get it into the hands of your users. Watching and learning from them will prove to be some the best work on a project.

I shore up my concerns over data loss and privacy. In the past I've created many social software applications with giving thought to privacy, but not as much as the application. Now I feel that any application needs to protect the privacy of its users as best as possible. The list goes on and on. It's been a wonderful three years here at ITP.