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.'"

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!

Pretty cool, actually

[Divebus]

That's a nifty little gizmo they've got there, but I can track iPods just as easily by looking for white earphones.

The Multi-Talented Nike

[mqduck]

Nike [wikipedia.org] can also be used to help you beat up Persians [wikipedia.org].

Nike+Apple didn't pay for this FUD?

[DECS]

I find it hard to believe that Nike+Apple didn't pay for this research.

Shoe tracking surveillance is a serious threat to runners everywhere. The spooks will know how many times your shoes hit the ground without actaully having to run around behind you counting. Clearly, this is an attempt by Apple and Nike to track perhaps thousands of individuals who are a) athletes b) unaware that Nike+ is a wireless system and c) concerned that other people will have access to the information they upload to the web.

What's next from Apple, a way to publically advertise personal details through web pages (say, iWeb)? How many people will unwittingly publish their social security number, mother's maden name, and perhaps their secret affinity for a specific type of cheese, creating clear and obvious vulnerabilities from the phishing scammers and spooks out to poison them. THE WEB IS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PEOPLE!!!

Don't say you haven't been warned. When the machines rise, the first to go will be hot chicks wearing tight Nike clothes and cheese eaters. Oh the humanity.

iPod vs Zune: Microsoft's Slippery Astroturf [roughlydrafted.com]
Bill Gates for President? No Thanks. [roughlydrafted.com]