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Self-Driving Cars are Here. Are Businesses, Consumers, and Lawyers Ready?

The introduction of the automobile changed not only American transportation, but American culture as well. While automobiles had existed since the late 1800s, they were typically very expensive and unreliable. However, in 1908, Ford released the Model T, an automobile made for the middle class. Sold for a measly USD $850 (a less measly USD $23,000 in today’s dollars), the Model T rapidly gained popularity in the United States [1]. Ultimately, the introduction of affordable mass-market automobiles led to the car-centric transportation system the United States has today. For over a century, this system has persisted, with wide interstate highways and large parking lots dominating American cityscapes.

But even after a century of automobile innovation, relatively little has changed about the fundamentals of driving. At least one passenger must control the car at all times, and if they lose control, even for a split-second, there could be disastrous consequences. Now, in 2021, those fundamentals are beginning to change. With massive tech companies like Uber and Amazon investing heavily in this emerging technology [2], it’s fair to wonder: How soon will self-driving cars become the norm? And how will this eventual change affect tech, law, and culture?

History of Autonomous Vehicles

One of the first autonomous vehicles came just a few years after the popularization of the automobile. However, this car was far from a technological masterpiece, closer to a life-size RC car than an automotive revelation. In 1925, electrical engineer Francis Houdina paraded a driverless sedan with a massive antenna down the streets of New York City. He controlled the car via remote control in a trailing vehicle. Ironically, the car crashed into another automobile full of journalists during the parade [3]. Despite the embarrassing end to the initial showcase, radio-controlled cars became tourist attractions for the next decade. Spectators were amazed by driverless cars, and automobile companies noticed. In 1935, Chevrolet even advertised the benefits of self-driving cars in an automobile safety video [4]. Even when mass-market automobiles were just beginning to flourish, a future filled with autonomous vehicles was dreamt by consumers and automakers alike. However, while automobile companies continued research and development into self-driving cars, it amounted to little else but prototypes and tourist gimmicks.

Beginning in the early 2010s, these prototypes and gimmicks began to have legitimate functionality. Cars manufacturers began to include features that were previously limited to autonomous vehicle prototypes. For example, in 2013, Mercedes-Benz released a luxury car featuring automatic braking, adaptive cruise control and parking assistance [5]. While this tech was exclusive to high-end cars years ago, features like parking assistance and automatic braking are regularly included in more affordable cars today. However, the biggest step toward a future with self-driving cars was made by Tesla. The electric-vehicle company introduced its “autopilot” software in 2015, allowing drivers to take their hands off the wheel while driving [6]. While Tesla’s autopilot feature isn’t fully autonomous, it is one of the first auto manufacturers to produce a mass-market vehicle with significant autonomous capabilities.

Why Autonomous Could be the Future

First and foremost, auto manufacturers are embracing self-driving cars because of their safety. Put simply, humans are not better drivers than robots. Self-driving cars would be able to make split-second decisions quicker than humans. Additionally, an autonomous vehicle future could wipe out incapacitated driving, which makes up 10% of all car crashes [7]. Altogether, one study states that a future with fully autonomous vehicles could cut traffic accidents by at least 34% [7]. While 34% fewer crashes may not seem like a massive decrease, it could have life-saving effects. There were an estimated 36,120 car crash fatalities in 2019 in the United States [8]. If 34% of those crashes were averted by autonomous vehicles, it could save over 12,000 lives each year.

Finally, consumers are drawn to autonomous vehicles because of their convenience. Self-driving cars could put an end to the stresses and anxieties of driving. After all, driving has always required the driver’s complete attention; to the point where eating while driving is heavily discouraged, and texting while driving is illegal in most states. Driving requires full, undivided attention. And for heavy-traffic areas or long road trips, this can be inconvenient for drivers. A future where drivers can send emails, talk to passengers or even nap is incredibly appealing to most drivers. While fully autonomous vehicles are still a long way away, it’s clear why consumers are interested in self-driving cars as well.

Why Autonomous Cars Could Flounder

One of the biggest obstacles facing automakers isn’t one of technological capability, but legal culpability. Right now, in almost every car crash, one of the affected drivers is at fault. Most importantly, the at-fault driver is often on the hook for financial penalties. But if all vehicles are autonomous, and there’s a crash, who is responsible? Because we are nowhere near this level of automation yet, we simply don’t know what the law will be in the era of self-driving cars. Could auto corporations be found at fault? If they are, why would companies continue to make autonomous vehicles if each one could mire the company in a lawsuit? Simply put, there are massive legal questions regarding autonomous vehicles that we don’t know the answer to, and won’t know until self-driving cars are much more integrated into society.

Finally, concern among consumers regarding privacy could cause the future of self-driving cars to sputter. Autonomous vehicles could become yet another device that collects and sells your personal data to advertisers. Even worse, these self-driving cars would have access to loads of unique data points, including travel histories and voice recordings. And because self-driving cars require software updates for new roads, even cars could become subject to ransomware attacks and other cybercrime. While autonomous vehicles can offer unparalleled convenience for their users, they can also force new, invasive forms of surveillance.

Stay Safe with AXEL Go

While AXEL Go can’t protect your autonomous car from ransomware (yet), it can protect your most important files from cybercrime. Offering industry-leading encryption and decentralized blockchain technology, AXEL Go is the best way to protect yourself or your business from data breaches and cybercrime. With AXEL Go, there’s no compromise between security and privacy rights. After all, our business is protecting your data, not collecting it. If you’re ready to try the most secure file-sharing and storage software, get two free weeks of AXEL Go here. 

[1] History.com Editors. “Model T.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, April 26, 2010. https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/model-t

[2] Palmer, Annie. “Amazon Zoox Unveils Self-Driving Robotaxi.” CNBC. CNBC, December 14, 2020. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/14/amazons-self-driving-company-zoox-unveils-autonomous-robotaxi.html

[3] Engelking, Carl. “The ‘Driverless’ Car Era Began More than 90 Years Ago.” Discover Magazine. Discover Magazine, May 17, 2019. https://www.discovermagazine.com/technology/the-driverless-car-era-began-more-than-90-years-ago

[4] Chevrolet Presents: The Safest Place. YouTube. YouTube, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cilh7br-P80

[5] Ingraham, Nathan. “Mercedes-Benz Shows off Self-Driving Car Technology in Its New $100,000 S-Class.” The Verge. The Verge, May 18, 2013. https://www.theverge.com/2013/5/18/4341656/mercedes-benz-shows-off-self-driving-car-technology

[6] Golson, Jordan. “Volvo Autonomous Car Engineer Calls Tesla’s Autopilot a ‘Wannabe’.” The Verge. The Verge, April 27, 2016. https://www.theverge.com/2016/4/27/11518826/volvo-tesla-autopilot-autonomous-self-driving-car

[7] Baldwin, Roberto. “IIHS Study: Autonomous Cars Won’t Avoid Majority of Vehicle Crashes.” Car and Driver. Car and Driver, November 10, 2020. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a32783046/iihs-autonomous-cars-not-as-safe-study/

[8] Media, NHTSA. “Early Estimates of 2019 Motor Vehicle Traffic Data Show Reduced Fatalities for Third Consecutive Year.” NHTSA. NHTSA, May 5, 2020. https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/early-estimates-2019-motor-vehicle-traffic-data-show-reduced-fatalities-third

Is Virtual Reality the Future? Facebook Thinks So.

Facebook is now Meta. Well, kind of. Last month, Facebook changed its parent company’s name to Meta, a nod to the company’s growing focus on the “metaverse.” Now, this doesn’t mean you’ll be liking vacation photos on meta.com any time soon. The company that owns Facebook is now Meta, not the social network itself. But why did Facebook change its name? First and foremost, it signals a shift away from social media, toward a more unique (and less controversial) form of technology: Virtual reality. 

Although virtual reality has existed in some form for decades, the technology is now becoming advanced enough to offer legitimately useful features to consumers and businesses. For example, Meta showed off its VR prototype during its name-change announcement video. The company showed off a virtual meeting room filled with cartoon avatars. The goal, Meta states, is to create a virtual meeting place that is nearly indistinguishable from a real meeting place. With more people working from home than ever before, this appears to be a useful goal. After all, Zoom meetings simply don’t have the same amount of interactivity and socialization as in-person meetings. VR could very well become the future of work. However, the widespread adoption of VR technology is still a long way away.

The History of Virtual Reality

The origin, and even the definition, of virtual reality is disputed [1]. After all, modern VR headsets are what the public thinks of when “virtual reality” is mentioned, but technology that advanced simply didn’t exist just a few decades ago. However, virtual reality experiences have still existed for decades. One of the first items that could be considered a virtual reality product is the View-Master, a goggles-like device that showed stereoscopic photographs. When utilized correctly, the user’s entire field of vision was dominated by the three-dimensional image. Although primitive, the View-Master may have been the first virtual reality device to appeal to the general consumer. This product ultimately highlighted just how immersive future virtual reality technology could be.

Beginning in the 1960s, researchers began to realize the potential of this futuristic technology. Specifically, they began to utilize virtual reality for military and flight simulations [2]. This allowed soldiers and pilots to train under realistic circumstances. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, virtual reality was mostly used as a training tool for professionals, as the technology was far too expensive for mass-market appeal. 

However, beginning in the 1990s, VR technology became advanced (and inexpensive) enough for companies to begin crafting virtual reality experiences for the general consumer. Ever since then, virtual reality has become intertwined with the gaming industry. In the early 1990s, video game giants Nintendo and Sega began creating virtual reality consoles, with marketing that promised to transport players to an immersive, realistic world [3]. The hype of virtual reality was at an all-time high. However, this optimism soon began to dwindle. In 1995, Nintendo released the Virtual Boy, a virtual reality video game console [2]. However, soon after its release, consumers were quick to point out the major drawbacks of virtual reality. The console itself was uncomfortable and dizzying, and only showed games in black and red [4]. For most consumers, this virtual reality product simply wasn’t realistic enough, and the console flopped.

Modern Uses of Virtual Reality

After the commercial failure of the Virtual Boy and other early VR headsets, the technology was mostly relegated to professional use. However, with the recent rise of newer, more realistic and more comfortable VR headsets, it may finally be time for virtual reality to enter the mainstream. 

While the VR market has undeniably grown, consumers still mostly see virtual reality as a cool gimmick, rather than a necessity. Today, most of VR’s use is for gaming, and while the industry has found a niche group of enthusiasts, just 34 million total headsets have been sold in the last five years [5]. Additionally, while the cost of virtual reality technology has dropped, headsets still aren’t affordable for all. For example, Oculus, a VR headset company owned by Meta, prices its cheapest headset at $299. While the technology has evolved and prices have dropped, committing to virtual reality is simply too much of a financial commitment for many.

The Future of VR

With Meta turning its focus to virtual reality, VR is certainly here to stay. But how will VR be utilized in the future? Will it become a business necessity, like Meta seems to think? Or could it continue to grow as a gaming product? Finally, can VR finally overcome its gimmick label? Simply put, there are a lot of questions about the future of virtual reality that we simply don’t know. However, a major company like Meta shifting its focus to virtual reality presents an opportunity to the industry that it has never had before. Meta’s massive, public commitment to virtual reality could usher in the widespread adoption of this emerging technology.

However, public acceptance of VR isn’t the only potential downfall to the industry. A common concern regarding virtual reality is the technology’s privacy and security. Modern VR headsets are filled with sensors, cameras, and microphones. Of course, headsets need this technology to function, but the data collected through this technology needs to be guarded securely. Put simply, virtual reality collects unique user information. With this information, advertisers can learn even more about you to sell their products. Even worse, there are no regulations for data collected through VR, further putting user privacy in the backseat [6]. So while virtual reality may offer new opportunities to connect and play, it also gives advertisers a new way to collect even more information on users.

Keep Your Data Safe with AXEL Go

Using a secure file storage system is the key to protecting your data from breaches and ransomware attacks. That’s where AXEL Go comes in. Offering military-grade encryption and decentralized blockchain technology, AXEL Go is the best way to protect yourself and your business from unauthorized cybercriminals. With privacy concerns not going away anytime soon, secure file-sharing is a necessity for businesses and individuals. If you’re ready to try the best protection, try two free weeks of AXEL Go here.

[1] Schnipper, Matthew. “The Rise and Fall and Rise of Virtual Reality.” The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/a/virtual-reality/intro.

[2] “History of Virtual Reality.” Virtual Reality Society, January 2, 2020. https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality/history.html.

[3] Karpf, David. “Virtual Reality Is the Rich White Kid of Technology.” Wired. Conde Nast, July 27, 2021. https://www.wired.com/story/virtual-reality-rich-white-kid-of-technology/.

[4] Greenbaum, Aaron. “Here’s Why the Virtual Boy Was a Complete Failure.” Looper.com. Looper, August 4, 2020. https://www.looper.com/233207/heres-why-the-virtual-boy-was-a-complete-failure/.

[5] Alsop, Thomas. “VR Headset Unit Sales Worldwide 2024.” Statista, July 19, 2021. https://www.statista.com/statistics/677096/vr-headsets-worldwide/.

[6] Maslin, Jared. “Concerns with Privacy in Virtual Reality.” Data Science W231 Behind the Data Humans and Values, March 2, 2021. https://blogs.ischool.berkeley.edu/w231/2021/03/02/concerns-with-privacy-in-virtual-reality/.

Big Tech’s Big Secret: Why Google and Apple Want Your Data

Two of the biggest tech companies in Silicon Valley have long been rivals. Whether it be iPhone vs. Android or Chrome vs. Safari, Apple and Google have never been on the friendliest of terms. Except for one, massive partnership. This year, Google is expected to pay Apple USD $15 billion to have Google be the default search engine on Safari [1]. At first, this deal seems like a head-scratcher. After all, why would Google pay its biggest rival billions when most already prefer Google as their search engine of choice? Put simply, Google outbids others to ensure other corporations (namely, Microsoft) can’t have their search engines become the default.

In addition to the two companies’ rivalry, there is another reason why Apple and Google’s lucrative partnership is so puzzling. Specifically, the two corporations’ stance on data privacy. In recent years, Apple has highlighted its privacy features extensively, with entire marketing campaigns dedicated to showcasing Apple’s (seemingly) hard-line stance on user privacy. On the other hand, Google’s revenue depends on advertising, and thus, user data. Over 80% of Google’s revenue comes from targeted advertising [2]. Overall, Apple and Google’s partnership shows how Big Tech companies that claim to prioritize your privacy may sacrifice that right for a big payday.

Apple’s Stance on Privacy

Just a few months ago, Apple launched a marketing campaign with the tagline “Privacy. That’s iPhone [3].” Clearly, Apple knows that privacy is something that the public wants, particularly in today’s Digital Age. In fact, Apple even states that “Privacy is a fundamental human right” on its website. On Apple’s site that details its privacy features, the company touts that Maps “doesn’t associate your data with your Apple ID” and that “your Apple ID isn’t connected to Siri.” Finally, Apple states that Safari “helps stop advertisers that follow you from site to site [4].” Clearly, Apple wants its users to believe their data is protected with them. Put simply, Apple wants to market itself as the Big Tech company that actually cares about your privacy. But is that the case?

Well, not really. While Apple is certainly better with privacy than most other Silicon Valley giants, that’s not a particularly high bar to clear. Apple still collects data in aggregate and keeps your exact maps locations for 24 hours [5]. While Apple may say that the benefits of this data collection vastly outweigh the harms, they’re still collecting the data. But worst of all, Apple still allows apps that don’t care about privacy at all. All of Apple’s privacy features are only on its own software. If you use more popular apps, such as Google Maps, Gmail, Facebook, YouTube, and others, you’re not protecting your data, even if you’re using the apps on an iPhone.

So while Apple talks a big game, and has certainly made positive steps toward a more private future, it’s still misleading to say Apple truly cares about your privacy. By still allowing data-hungry apps on its App Store, your data is still exposed on Apple’s hardware. Of course, Apple is a business, and simply not allowing these popular apps would be a massive change. However, the implication that all of your data is protected on Apple devices is simply misleading.

Google and User Privacy

While Apple has taken some steps to protect user data, Google’s entire business model depends upon the collection and sale of data. Google collects, among other things, website histories, Gmail data (including email drafts), and specific location data, even when the Google Maps app isn’t open [6]. Google then takes that personal data and sells it, allowing companies to target their ads to specific audiences. With this hyper-specific information, Google can line its pockets with revenue, while your data is exposed to advertisers.

In fact, Google’s entire business model is the sale of user data. That’s why nearly all of Google’s products are completely free. From Google Maps to YouTube, Gmail to Drive, Google offers all of these services for free. And many have wondered how Google can offer such complicated software for no cost. The answer? Google’s software isn’t their main product. You are their main product.

For Big Tech, It’s All About Ads

Unfortunately, Google is just one of many corporations whose main product isn’t software or programs. It’s you and your data. Similar to Google, Facebook makes the vast majority of its revenue through ads. Facebook learns as much as possible about you, then uses that data to deluge your timeline with hyper-specific ads [7]. Additionally, the goal of Amazon’s expansion into smart speakers and grocery stores isn’t just to offer a wider suite of products. It’s about gathering even more information about its customers and sharing that with advertisers [8]. 

While Facebook and Amazon both carefully state that they don’t “sell” your data to third parties, they do “share” your data with third parties. In practice, this still means advertisers can pay for access to your data. And, unfortunately, that is how most Big Tech companies operate. While these mega-corporations may offer a variety of free software and products to customers, those aren’t their main business. If they aren’t selling products or services, they’re selling you.

AXEL is Different

At AXEL, we also believe that privacy is a human right. Unlike other companies though, we don’t hide behind our slogans. AXEL takes steps to ensure your data is protected from cybercriminals and advertisers alike. From military-grade encryption to blockchain technology, AXEL offers the most stringent security for your most important data.

Additionally, with AXEL, you’re not the product. That’s why we never sell your data to any third party. We don’t offer any “too good to be true” deals while selling your data on the side. AXEL Go is a secure file-sharing and storage software that puts you in control of your data. If you’re ready to take back control of your data, try two weeks of AXEL Go for free here. After the free trial, AXEL Go is just $9.99 per month. After all, our business model is offering the best, most secure file-sharing service to all; not offering your private data to the highest bidder.

[1] Ion, Florence. “Google Continues to Pay Apple Billions to Keep You From Using… Bing?” Gizmodo. August 26, 2021. https://gizmodo.com/google-will-continue-to-pay-apple-billions-to-keep-you-1847564608.

[2] Graham, Megan, and Jennifer Elias. “How Google’s $150 Billion Advertising Business Works.” CNBC. May 21, 2021. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/18/how-does-google-make-money-advertising-business-breakdown-.html.

[3] Apple. YouTube. May 20, 2021.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w4qPUSG17Y.

[4] “Privacy.” Apple. 

https://www.apple.com/privacy/.

[5] “Apple Delivers a New Redesigned Maps for All Users in the United States.” Apple Newsroom. August 06, 2021. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/01/apple-delivers-a-new-redesigned-maps-for-all-users-in-the-united-states/.

[6] Haselton, Todd. “How to Find out What Google Knows about You and Limit the Data It Collects.” CNBC. December 06, 2017. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/20/what-does-google-know-about-me.html.

[7] Gilbert, Ben. “How Facebook Makes Money from Your Data, in Mark Zuckerberg’s Words.” Business Insider. April 11, 2018. https://www.businessinsider.com/how-facebook-makes-money-according-to-mark-zuckerberg-2018-4.
[8] M, Laura. “Does Amazon Sell Your Personal Information?” DeleteMe. August 21, 2020. https://joindeleteme.com/blog/does-amazon-sell-your-personal-information/.

Shady Schemes and Sinful Scams: The History of Internet Spam

Ever since the infancy of the Internet, spam has caused headaches for those that encounter it. Whether it be old-fashioned email spam or a modern phishing attempt through social media, we all have to deal with annoying, dangerous spam. Thankfully, tech companies have found ways to minimize the amount of spam we see, with spam folders and CAPTCHA tests becoming prevalent across the Internet. However, even with these security measures, spam still sometimes gets through, putting businesses and individuals at risk.

Early Days of Spam

The first recorded instance of “spam” actually occurred well before the invention of the Internet. In 1864, British politicians received a knock on the door, along with a telegram message; the politicians were terrified a war had broken out. But when they received the telegram, it did not tell of war or death, but an advertisement for a local dentistry. The politicians were understandably irritated and told the press about this occurrence, further amplifying the dentistry’s message as well [1]. Ultimately, this story shows how annoying (yet successful) spam messages can be. And when the Internet broke into the mainstream in the 1990s, pranksters and cybercriminals set their sights on the new, burgeoning medium.

As Internet use became more widespread, emails became the main target for spammers. In fact, in 2008, spam was so prevalent, it constituted 92.6% of all emails sent [2]. Although email was quickly becoming a valuable tool at home and the workplace, spam still made up the vast majority of all emails sent. Thankfully, in 2019, that number dropped to 28.5%. However, that number shows how spammers have simply found new, more successful ways to inundate users with ads and scams.

Unfortunately, many spam emails became more than annoying advertisements and sought to harm users as well. These scam emails seek to trick the receiver, typically by masquerading as another person. A well-known example is the “Nigerian prince” phishing scam, where the scammer promises a large sum of money in exchange for a smaller, upfront payment by the receiver. However, when the receiver makes the payment, the scammer does not fulfill their promise, making away with the upfront payment. While the success rate of this scam is low, it worked often enough to become profitable to scammers.

Modern-Day Scams and Spam

Now, spammers have diversified their targets, attacking people with more advanced social media and email scams. One prevalent example is a phishing scam that seeks access to personal Facebook accounts. In this scheme, scammers typically send a vague message with a link. When the user clicks the link, they see what appears to be a Facebook login page, but is actually a webpage masquerading as Facebook. Unsuspecting users then log in to the fake page, unknowingly giving their login information to the scammers. The crooks then have control of the account, then often post ads and try to trick the account’s friends with the same scheme.

Other modern scams use similar techniques, where the scammer typically disguises their email as an official work email. One example of this is CEO Fraud, where scammers, who pretend to be the CEO of the company, email lower-level employees at a business. The emails, typically written with an urgent tone, instruct employees to wire money to an account connected to the scammer. And while most employees don’t fall for this trick, the small amount that do lead to big paydays for scammers.

In addition, with the rise of cryptocurrencies and their decentralized, anonymous nature, crypto scams have become more prevalent as well. The most prominent example of this occurred in 2020, when 45 popular Twitter accounts were hacked, including Barack Obama, Bill Gates and Kim Kardashian. The accounts Tweeted identical messages, promising to double the value of Bitcoin that users send to a cryptocurrency wallet. While the Tweets were quickly taken down, the scammers still received over $100,000 in Bitcoin from users in that short period [3].

Tips to Avoid Scams

While many tips to avoid Internet scams may seem like common sense, it’s still important to review ways to protect yourself. After all, spam and scams are still evolving; we don’t know how these criminals will target their victims in a few years. So it’s crucial to stay informed on ways to protect yourself from these scammers.

Don’t click on anything from unknown accounts

This is the main way scammers can hack into your account and post spam. Just one click can give access to your entire account to the scammers. Only click on links from accounts and people you trust. If someone messaged you, and you’re not sure who it is, never click a link.

Check the email address

While this may sound obvious, double-checking emails can save you or your company from chaos. Scammers can make their emails look incredibly similar to official work emails; the only difference being a slightly different email address. For example, an email from help@google.com is safe. An email from help@google-admin.com is not safe. Before clicking a link, always double-check the email address to make sure it’s from the official site.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is

If you receive a message promising to double your money quickly, it is almost certainly a scam. Any message that promises thousand-dollar gift cards or free iPads simply wants your information to pile you with spam. Unless you’ve entered a sweepstakes, any message saying you’ve won something valuable is almost certainly fake.

AXEL’s Efforts to Can Spam

AXEL is committed to protecting your data, including protection from scammers, spammers, and cybercriminals. That’s why AXEL Go uses industry-leading data encryption, blockchain technology, and digital “shredding” to protect your data. As scammers evolve their practices, so does AXEL. For example, AXEL Go uses a system of decentralized servers to transfer your documents. So even if hackers gained access to a server, your files are still safe and uncompromised. To try out AXEL Go’s unparalleled data security, sign up for a two-week free trial here. 

[1] “Getting the Message, at Last.” The Economist. December 15, 2007. https://www.economist.com/node/10286400/print?story_id=10286400.

[2] Johnson, Joseph. “Spam E-mail Traffic Share 2019.” Statista. January 25, 2021. https://www.statista.com/statistics/420400/spam-email-traffic-share-annual/.


[3] Iyengar, Rishi. “Twitter Blames ‘coordinated’ Attack on Its Systems for Hack of Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Bill Gates and Others.” CNN. July 16, 2020. https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/15/tech/twitter-hack-elon-musk-bill-gates/index.html.

Digital Assistants are Invading your Privacy

Digital assistants have been a part of daily life for millions of people since Apple acquired Siri in 2011 and integrated it into the iPhone 4s. Now, all the big players are in the game. Google, Amazon, and Facebook are competing to be the consumer’s choice for in-home digital help. While the commercials make them look convenient and nearly indispensable for modern life, the truth is users are inviting Big Tech surveillance into their most private moments. In this blog, we’ll make the argument that you should think twice before using one of these services.

Privacy nightmares

The digital assistant marketplace is pretty crowded. Although many smaller companies and startups are coming up with solutions in the space, Apple’s Siri, the Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Facebook Portal dominate the sector. All of Big Tech wants to have an always-on, AI-enabled voice recorder in your home. The question consumer should be asking themselves is ‘Why?’

Well, first off, it’s a growing industry. The market size is over $3 billion this year, and analysts believe it could grow to be an over $40 billion industry by 2027[1]. Obviously, this type of explosive growth is going to attract Big Tech investment.

But what other incentives are there? Well, we know that all of the major tech corporations have had issues with privacy violations in the past. Even Apple, which makes its money from hardware sales and has less reason to harvest mass amounts of user data, has had public privacy issues. To their credit, they at least seem to listen to privacy advocates and either change their policies or at least make them transparent. Unfortunately, you cannot say the same for the others in the space.

Amazon wants to sell more retail items and therefore wants as clear of a profile as possible on its users. That way, it can advertise to them more efficiently. Google and Facebook are even worse. Their entire business models revolve around offering free services to consumers. Nearly all of their revenue comes from personalized advertising. Thus, they have the biggest incentive to collect and analyze everything their customers do while using their products (and many times even after they’re finished using them!)

The pitch

So knowing that these companies don’t take privacy seriously, why do they keep attracting new users? They make a compelling pitch about modern convenience. We live in a society where time is at a premium, and any new gadget that can save a few precious moments is the next best thing. Digital assistants use voice commands, so users don’t have to type out questions or commands. Instead of tapping through a few screens on your phone, you can simply say ‘Call Grandma, ’ and before you know it, you’re chatting with granny about all the birds she’s seen in the yard that week.

This kind of functionality is powerful. You can make and begin music playlists for the big dinner party, schedule appointments on your calendar, or even integrate digital assistants into your smart home. Then, adjusting the thermostat or checking on the oven timer is easier than ever before. But just stop and think for a moment. How much time are you actually saving? Tapping a few buttons is already much more convenient than any previous generation. Suppose your swing-dancing, bird aficionado grandma wanted to make a playlist for a party. In that case, she’d need to have the records she wanted to play at the ready and manually change them out continuously. Sitting at a computer and pulling out your phone, and tinkering for five minutes is already so much easier. In our opinion, the marginal utility you gain from digital assistants is not enough to overcome the privacy issues.

The issue

The main problem with these devices is that they never stop listening as long as they receive power. They may not be recording until they hear the ‘activation word’ (typically some version of ‘Hey!’), but they always listen for that phrase. So, that in of itself is more than a little creepy. But, it opens you up to opportunistic hackers. If a malicious agent wanted to, they could exploit a vulnerability in the device’s software and then have full access to your personal conversations. In the case of the Facebook Portal, which comes equipped standard with a high-definition camera, a bad actor could gain access to video of your home. The truth is, this technology isn’t foolproof either. The devices can mishear the activation word and begin recording conversations you’d prefer to remain private.

Even if a hacker doesn’t actively target you for surveillance, the open secret about digital assistants is that a representative from the manufacturer’s company could be listening to you. They all are known to employ people to do randomized quality assurance checks. In fact, some have heard about the users’ illicit activities! In some jurisdictions, recordings from digital assistants can be used against you in a court of law[2]. Talk about an unwelcome snitch.

Overall, we believe that if you have any concerns about your privacy at all, don’t use a digital assistant. Do things the old-fashioned way (from 2010) and use your fingers. It may mean an extra 15 seconds multiple times throughout the day, but you get the peace of mind of knowing that your private moments aren’t compromised.

Privacy first

AXEL believes that privacy is a right and that tech companies shouldn’t infringe on it. This philosophy drives the development process of all of our software solutions, like AXEL Go. AXEL Go is a secure, private file storage and sharing platform. It gives you the power to choose precisely how private you want your files to be and never collects your personal information or mines your content. Try it now for free and receive a 14-day trial of our Premium service. All of the fantastic features are unlocked and you can see for yourself that tech products and privacy don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Take back control of your data with AXEL Go.

[1] Sneha Korad, Rachita Rake, Vineet Kumar, “Global Intelligent Virtual Assistant Market”, AlliedMarketResearch.com, 2020, www.alliedmarketresearch.com/intelligent-virtual-assistant-market

[2] Erica Vowles, Jeremy Story Carter, “Your Google Home or Fitbit could be used against you in court”, ABC.net.au, March 8, 2018, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-09/your-google-home-or-fit-bit-could-be-used-against-you-in-court/9510368

The 2021 Guide to Online Privacy

According to a 2019 survey, nearly three-quarters of Americans are “more alarmed than ever” about their online privacy[1]. This concern is well deserved, as it seems every day there’s another story about shady corporate data collection policies or a major data breach.

So, how can you protect yourself? Luckily, you don’t have to live off the grid without electricity while hoarding military surplus MREs from the Cold War to prevent total surveillance. While most of the Big Tech offerings don’t make user privacy a top priority, some alternatives do. Here, we’ll look into the common ways you can stay private online.

Web Browsers

The most popular web browser, by far, is Google Chrome[2]. Unfortunately, it’s also the worst for privacy. In fact, you may notice a running theme throughout this guide; stop using Google! Google is one of the top privacy offenders, and its suite of software and services is absolutely massive, so you probably use them frequently. Safer ways to surf the web include the following solutions.

Firefox. Developed by the non-profit Mozilla corporation, Firefox provides a wealth of privacy settings. However, many of these options are not on by default, so you will want to dig into them a bit to set things up how you want.

Safari. This is the standard web browser for iOS and macOS. As far as Big Tech companies go, Apple stands out as being better about privacy than the others, which holds true for its browser. Again, you will need to optimize the settings for privacy, but the interface is clear and intuitive. Apple makes its money from high-priced hardware, so it has less incentive to collect and sell as much data as possible.

Brave. Brave is a newcomer to the browser game, and it has made its name on protecting privacy. It blocks ads, trackers, scripts, and more. It offers high-performance compared to its competition too! However, there are two caveats; It serves you ads by default (although you get paid for viewing them and you can disable them), and it’s built off of the Chromium browser, which uses the same code base as the nefarious Chrome. On the plus side, this does make it compatible with popular Chrome extensions, so it really boils down to your risk-reward calculations.

Search Engines

Stop using Google! Just don’t. Now, for some searches, Google will likely return better results. But for the vast majority of occasions, one of the following alternatives will get the job done without tracking your every move.

DuckDuckGo. This is easily the most usable privacy search engine. It has most of the same features (Videos/Images/News/etc.) as Google, and they never track your behavior. It doesn’t employ invasive algorithms either; it parses search results via a simple traffic calculation, so you also don’t get the censorship prevalent on Google.

For most users, DuckDuckGo is going to be the way to go. Other privacy search engines are significantly more niche, but we’ll still cover a few of the more interesting ones.

Ecosia. This is a front-end for the Bing search engine, but it ditches the trackers associated with Microsoft’s product. So, you get the power of Bing without the drawbacks. One of the more novel aspects of this solution is that the Ecosia organization plants trees when you use it. Of course, to fund this, you have to deal with ads, but at least you’re not being surveilled.

Peekier. Peekier says it’s “The most privacy-oriented search engine,” and its official privacy policy is impressive. It uses its own algorithm and generates results with thumbnail images of the sites themselves. So, it’s aesthetically pleasing, albeit a bit more bandwidth-hungry (just something to be aware of if you’re dealing with low data caps from your internet service provider.)

SearX. This is a very interesting option that’s completely decentralized. In fact, you can set up your own instance of the search engine to help out with the project! It has helpful advanced search capabilities that can assist with finding particular files. Unfortunately, it’s also the least user-friendly (you have to click on an instance before searching) and can be buggy. Still, it’s definitely one to keep an eye out for if the team can iron out the kinks.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

One of the easiest ways to hide your location and identifying information when online is to invest in a VPN. They’re starting to become mainstream, as you’ve probably heard advertisements for them on your favorite podcast or YouTube channel.

With a VPN, you’re using a service that masks your network’s IP address. So, trackers online think the computer is in a completely different part of the world. Another benefit is the data sent between your computer and websites is encrypted and unreadable to would-be snoops. We recommend everyone use a VPN if they want to remain private on the internet. Many VPN providers are available, and we encourage you to do your own research about which is suitable for you. A quick DuckDuckGo search should put you on the correct path (see what we did there?)

Android vs. iOS

As we previously detailed, Apple is generally better with privacy. Android, a Google product, is pretty hopeless out of the box, but if you’re a tech whiz, it can be improved. If you need to get an Android phone for compatibility or price reasons, we recommend getting one you can install custom ROMs on and download a third-party privacy-based operating system. This isn’t for the everyday user and only works on specific phone models. The most popular privacy ROMs are LineageOS, CalyxOS, and GrapheneOS.

The first two attempt to replicate the functionality of Android while maintaining a semblance of privacy. GrapheneOS, on the other hand, goes much further and is recommended by people such as Edward Snowden. Be warned, while this will provide the most privacy possible, many people will be put off by the learning curve and lack of features/common applications.

There aren’t many non-Android or iOS alternatives. You could try out the Linux-based PINEPHONE, which offers a pared-down Linux experience and physical switches that can turn off the cellular radios, microphones, and more. It’s an inexpensive way to get robust privacy, but again, you will experience tradeoffs in usability.

One more privacy tip regarding your cellphones; don’t go with the major carriers. They will undoubtedly run credit checks and require all of your personal information when you sign up. Avoid these invasions by going with prepaid services. With these, you typically don’t have to give up any personal data if you don’t want to, and you can buy refills with cash at a variety of retail stores. They also tend to be significantly less expensive overall, and you’re also not locked into a burdensome contract. Furthermore, they all use the same networks that the big names do. It’s a no-brainer!

Alternative methods of payment

One of the worst feelings is seeing unaccounted-for charges on your credit card statements. It’s a hassle to reverse, and you may be without the stolen funds for days or weeks before it gets sorted out. It’s a situation that seems all too common in modern times, and most people accept it as a necessary hazard when putting your credit card information online. This doesn’t have to be the case!

You can protect your banking information by using payment services that provide users with masked credit card numbers. Companies like Abine Blur let you load up prepaid virtual cards that can be used anywhere (even for booking hotels). For privacy-conscious people, it allows the peace of mind that’s so sought after when making online purchases.

Social Media

Social media is tough to replace. The first recommendation we have is not to use Facebook. For businesses and those wanting to keep in touch with friends, this is a tricky proposition. If you don’t absolutely need it, however, do not use it. If you must, only put the bare minimum amount of personal information on it. There have been multiple scandals and instances of Zuckerberg’s company selling user data and behavior analysis to third parties without consent. This goes for its popular acquisitions, too, such as Instagram and WhatsApp.

As far as other platforms go, we recommend:

Invidious. This is a YouTube front-end that doesn’t track your behavior. It has other great features, such as the ability to download videos in various formats/qualities. Invidious also blocks all advertisements, and you can listen to the audio when the screen is turned off, making it fantastic for podcasts.

Like SearX for search engines, you have to use a specific instance, and we recommend www.yewtu.be, which doesn’t have much downtime. With this instance, you can even create an account not linked to your identity where you can maintain subscriptions to your favorite content creators. It’s the best way to enjoy YouTube.

Mastodon. Mastodon is a Twitter replacement that’s fully decentralized. It’s an open-source project that is entirely un-monetized. So, you’ll never see advertisements or promoted posts, and there’s no incentive to collect data since it won’t be sold. Of course, the community isn’t as large as Twitter’s, but it is growing steadily and is engaging enough to try out.

Messaging

Messing apps are an important way to talk to friends and family without using insecure SMS text messages. However, if you’re using Big Tech solutions like Facebook Messenger, GChat, or even the end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp (owned by Facebook), your communications aren’t necessarily private. If you want a more secure messaging app, use open-source, encrypted options like Telegram and Signal.

File sharing

Sending and storing files via the cloud is a convenient way to have all your documents at your fingertips. However, if you use common programs like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, your content is also at the greedy fingertips of Big Tech. Prevent corporate surveillance and data mining by using the decentralized, distributed AXEL Go.

AXEL Go combines secure blockchain technology, the InterPlanetary File System, and hardened military-grade encryption to provide the best privacy platform for sharing and storing your data. Sign up today and receive a free 14-day trial of our Premium service with all features unlocked.

The privacy revolution

As you can see, protecting your digital privacy isn’t impossible. You may have to make concessions or change your daily workflow a bit, but with the growing community around privacy-based software and services, you can stay out of the watchful gaze of Big Tech while still enjoying the utility of the internet.  We hope you give some of our suggestions a shot and see that the current reality of corporate surveillance and censorship doesn’t have to carry on into the future.

With your help, we can usher in a new era of the internet that delivers on its initial promise of expanding human interaction and knowledge without privacy issues. Join the privacy revolution. Change the world.

[1] Statista, “Share of internet users who are more alarmed than ever about their online privacy vs. their willingness to accept certain risks to their online privacy to make their life more convenient as of December 2019, by country”, Statista.com, Dec. 2019, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1023952/global-opinion-concern-internet-privacy-risk-convenience/

[2] Statista, “Market share held by leading desktop internet browsers in the United States from January 2015 to March 2021”, Statista.com, March 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/272697/market-share-desktop-internet-browser-usa/