Google: Just Like a Colonizing Force?
February 15, 2019
Can a company cross over into the monetization methods of a country? I read “Google’s Sidewalk Labs Plans Massive Expansion to Waterfront Vision” and formulated this company-country question.
If accurate the Star’s report seems to outline a way for a commercial enterprise, based in the US, to monetize or “cost recover” via methods usually associated with a nation state. The techniques may be more gentle than those early colonizers of Peru, but the goal seems to be similar.
I learned:
Google’s futuristic development on the eastern waterfront, Quayside, is only the first step in an expansive and ambitious plan to build new neighborhoods — and new transit — throughout the entire Port Lands, the Star has learned. In return for its investment in this vision, Sidewalk Labs wants a share of the property taxes, development fees and increased value of city land that would normally go to city coffers.
The source of this monetization method comes from “internal documents.” Like Bloomberg’s revelations about fiddled motherboards, the information could be viewed with skepticism.
Let’s assume that the story is spot on. The revenue from this technology revitalization effort is characterized in the article:
These future revenues, based on the anticipated increase in land value once homes and offices are built on the derelict Port Lands, are estimated to be $6 billion over the next 30 years. Even a small portion of this could amount to a large, recurring revenue stream diverted from the city into private hands.
The money generated from what is usually described as “development” by property professionals would flow to the government entities. These in turn would repair roads, provide services, and educate children. Google, I assume, would use these funds to further its commercial interests and continue its efforts to solve death, develop more sophisticated online advertising methods, and rekindle the Google Glass technology, among other high value endeavors.
There are upsides. The area would become more valuable to the city and its residents.
Nevertheless, the coupling of funding methods commonly associated with nation states and governmental agencies with Google is interesting.
Perhaps the same approach would work for Google in China and Russia? But leaders in those countries may not entertain Google’s 21st century approach to a public private partnership.
In Louisville, Kentucky, Google pulled out of its high speed access project. That’s just one risk of cutting deals with commercial enterprises. Google, in particular, can change its mind. Like Amazon, companies wield real power. New York City and environs are waking up to the reality of Amazon’s bidding the Big Apple farewell.
What happens if Google becomes disenchanted with Toronto? A pull out could have significant financial consequences.
But the idea is interesting, and certainly worthy of Francisco Pizarro’s advisers.
Stephen E Arnold, February 15, 2019
Stephen E Arnold
Weapons via the Hidden Web
February 15, 2019
Gun control continues to be a major issue for Americans. However, if ever there was to be a tightening of gun ownership laws in this country, it’s interesting to wonder what the result might look like. Chances are, it would be a lot like Europe—even the problems that come with it, as we discovered in a recent Gunpowder Magazine article, “European Gun Ownership is Surging, Concerned Citizens Resort to Dark Web.”
According to the story:
“High threats of terror attacks and surging crime have left Europeans increasingly uneasy about their personal safety. And because gun control laws are so strict in Europe, citizens are resorting to illicit means to obtain firearms, to the point that, The Wall Street Journal reports, “unregistered weapons outnumbered legal ones” in 2017.”
It’s not just guns that are posing a threat on the dark web. Recently, a hacker posted over 600 million people’s information up for sale there. This is the reason why intelligence agencies are paying closer attention to the dark web, working on ways to crack its mysterious codes. The issue becomes staying in step or even a step ahead of the dark web, which isn’t as easy as it may sound.
Patrick Roland, February 15, 2019
The Dark Web Small Yet Still Dark Place
February 15, 2019
The Dark Web is an easy scapegoat to blame for all of the Internet’s woes and perils. Even the name “Dark Web” elicits images of negative activity. The truth about the Dark Web is much more complicated than we are led to believe. The Dark Web is a tool to browse and publish information anonymously on the Internet. Yes, criminals do use it to sell stolen goods and for sex trafficking, but it is also a haven for journalists in oppressive regimes, freedom of the press, and freedom fighters around the world.
ZeroFOX shares more details about the Dark Web and its uses in the article, “Evolving Landscape And Emerging Threats On The Dark Web.” ZeroFOX’s article first explains some basic information about what the Dark Web is and how it started as a US Navy project. The project developed into the Onion Router or Tor browser that can access Web sites with the .onion extension.
As the Dark Web grows, its users are experimenting with ways to improve anonymity. Some of the methods are moving to deep web sites that are membership or invite only. These types of Web sites are breeding grounds for criminal activity. The threats increase as technology improves.
The Web sites that pose the greatest threat are the ones that are the hardest to access. Organizations often lack the ability and knowledge to monitor the Dark Web. The most common crimes on the Dark Web are:
“Physical threats, doxxing, and chatter against top executives, public servants/figures, and journalists
Consumer data for sale or exposed, often credit card dumps and credentials leaks
Distribution of copyrighted materials, movies, music and TV
Hacking techniques, vulnerabilities, and planned attacks on cyber forums
Sales of drugs, counterfeit/stolen goods, proprietary technology”
With increased pressure from law enforcement, bad actors are shifting from the “old” Dark Web to alternative ways to obfuscate, communicate, and sell their products and services, exchange information, and chip away at some social norms.
Whitney Grace, February 15, 2019
Palantir Technologies and KT4 Partners: Information Decision
February 14, 2019
If you follow Palantir Technologies, there is a dust up between KT4 Partners and the producer of intelware; that is, software designed to provide intelligence solutions to licensees.
Like Palantir’s dispute with the original i2 Ltd., the details are difficult to discern due to the legal processes themselves, the desire of those involved to remain out of the spotlight, and the time lag between events.
If you do follow the legal machinations, you will want to read “Delaware Court Provides Guidance for Books and Records Demands to Limit Producing Electronic Data to Stockholders.”
I am not a lawyer and lawyers in general make me nervous; however, it appears that KT4 will be able to access certain documents to which Palantir has denied access.
Why’s this important?
Palantir and KT4 know that money is at stake. Expensive settlements may have an impact on Palantir’s IPO. Furthermore, documents may contain interesting information which could find its way into the media.
Worth monitoring this matter.
Stephen E Arnold, February 14, 2019
Dark Web Leads To Dark Deals For Children
February 14, 2019
Illegal drugs and arms trafficking are some of the worst crimes on the Dark Web, but the most abhorrent crime is sex trafficking. A large majority of sex trafficking victims are women, but children (boys and girls) are also in the victim pool. The New York Post reports how over “123 Missing Children Found In Michigan During Sex Trafficking Operation.” On September 26, 2018, Michigan law enforcement and Operation MISafeKid recovered over one hundred missing children.
Michigan law enforcement were investigating 301 open missing children cases of which 123 were found. All the recovered children were interviewed about if they were sexually abused or trafficked in any fashion. Of the 123 children, only three of them reported being possibly victimized. The sting also revealed leads to missing children in Texas and Minnesota. It is horrible that the most vulnerable humans are sold for sex, but authorities are all the more dedicated to saving them.
“ ‘The message to the missing children and their families that we wish to convey is that we will never stop looking for you,’ the US Marshals Service said. Several agencies were involved in the operation including the US Marshals Service, Michigan State Police, Detroit Police Department, Wayne County local law enforcement, as well as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General.”
It takes many law enforcement agencies to track, investigate, and prosecute the sex trafficking ringleaders. It is hard to imagine how these ringleaders kept their victims in line, because children are loud by nature. How much intimidation did they use to maintain a low profile?
Whitney Grace, February 14, 2018
BAE Systems Wins NGA Video Analysis Contract
February 14, 2019
BAE Systems has secured a five-year, $250 million deal with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), we learn from UPI’s write-up, “BAE Contracted for Services on Video Intelligence Analysis.” The contract continues work the firm has been performing for the agency, so we suppose it has been going well. Curious readers can see BAE’s press release here. Reporter Allen Cone writes:
“Aside from the analytic mission support, BAE Systems will introduce NGA leaders to new FMV services, software, systems, platforms and sensors developed by the company and its program team of several industry leading intelligence and technology companies. The NGA’s Team GEOINT initiative encourages industry, academia, professional organizations and foreign allies ‘to work together and support common technical standards that will enhance intelligence sharing and collaboration,’ according to the release….
I also noted:
“Geospatial intelligence uses imagery, imagery intelligence and geospatial information to describe and depict features, activities and locations on Earth.’Anyone who sails a U.S. ship, flies a U.S. aircraft, makes national policy decisions, fights wars, locates targets, responds to natural disasters or navigates with a cell phone relies on GEOINT,’ NGA says on its website.”
Yes, the growth of GEOINT, or Geospatial intelligence, has become an inescapable reality. Cone notes that the NGA opened a shiny new office in Springfield, Virginia, in 2011—a building that is the third-largest federal building near D.C., after the Pentagon and the Ronald Reagan building. BAE Systems is based in nearby Rockville, Maryland, and operates offices around the world. The company was founded in 1999.
Cynthia Murrell, February 14, 2019, 2019
Facebook and Google: Funding the Residents of the Great State of California?
February 13, 2019
I usually pay little attention to politics. I did spot this headline: “California Gov. Gavin Newsom Wants Google, Facebook to Share Profits with State’s Residents
The write up reports:
California Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a “digital dividend” that would let consumers share in the billions of dollars made by technology companies in the most populous U.S. state.California Gov. Gavin Newsom Wants Google, Facebook to Share Profits with State’s Residents.” Interesting. I thought California taxed businesses, at least that’s what I have heard from California business owners who have set up shop in Arizona, Nevada, and Washington.
I am not sure what to make of this idea. My initial reaction is that if I earned money, I would want to keep it.
Fascinating stuff coming from the nerve center of Wild West capitalism.
Why are motion pictures made in so many places? Maybe the business climate in California?
Stephen E Arnold, February 13, 2019
Factualities for February 13, 2019
February 13, 2019
Data, data everywhere. The joy of two much data and analysis paralysis thrills anyone who revels in “real” facts. Professors of statistics, however, may not be amused.
$80 billion. The cost of poor customer service in 2018. Source: IBM
$2 billion. The amount IBM is “betting” to improve the hardware used for artificial intelligence by 1,000 times. What happened to quantum computing? DarkCyber does not know. Source: HPC Wire
164. The number of times faster IBM cloud functions can perform 100,000 forecasts. Source: IBM
$79. The amount each iPhone user spent on apps in 2018. Source: TechCrunch
$70 million. The cost of romance fraud to victims looking for love. Source: Sky News
10 percent. Percentage of a sample of “respondents” who said they have dated a person to gain access to that individual’s Netflix account. Source: Boy Genius Report
32 percent. Percentage of Canadian seafood samples mislabeled; that is, fish marked as sea bass could have been catfish. Source: University of Guelph
Six. The number of cancer types a single drug successfully treats. Source: London Economic
16,000. Number of flaws in the software for Google Chrome discovered by the science club inspired tool called Clusterfuzz. Source: Google
84 percent. The percentage of people in the UK between the ages of 18 and 24 use the Internet as their primary source of news. Source: Dark Web News
288,000,000. The square footage Amazon’s warehouses, offices, retail spaces, and data centers occupy. Source: The Atlantic
$85,000,000. The amount Google earns per day in profit. Source: IT Pro Portal
33 percent. The percentage of “news” produced by Bloomberg’s automated editorial system. Source: The envious New York Times
Stephen E Arnold, February 13, 2019
US Army Looks to Replace Soldiers With Robots
February 13, 2019
Further proof that we are living in a science fiction novel comes in the form of the US Military looking to phase out humans. This will not happen overnight, to be sure, but it is a trend gaining momentum in military thinking across the globe. We learned more from a recent BRG story, “The US Army is Working on Autonomous Weapons That Don’t Need Human Operators.”
In the story, an Army spokesman:
“Argued that when it comes to operating weapons, the human factor could increasingly prove dangerous by its very existence. If everyone else, in other words, is going all-in on the development of AI-controlled weapons, it will be dangerous for us to still rely heavily on the human-operated equivalent which would be easily outmatched by machines.”
A modest step forward has been taken. The US Army will put into use the Black Hornet. This is a nano drone which requires a human operator, but deploying a swarm of drones with a “mission” may presage the future. The drone is produced by FLIR.
Patrick Roland, February 13, 2019
The Balance: Smart Software and Humanoid
February 13, 2019
Micro-blogging super sphere, Tumblr, recently made headlines when it declared it would crack down on adult content. This is obviously not a small task, so the company harnessed as much deep learning AI as it could. The problems started instantly: pictures of boots and jeans were getting flagged the same as pornography. We got the full picture from a recent The Next Web story, “The Challenges of Moderating Content with Deep Learning.”
According to the story:
“Obviously, the folks at Tumblr realize that there are distinct limits to the capabilities of deep learning, which is why they’re keeping humans in the loop. Now, the question is, why does a technology that is as good as—or even better than—humans at recognizing images and objects need the help to make a decision that any human could do without much effort?”
This is a similar problem that the defense and intelligence communities are struggling through. It’s funny when boots get mislabeled as pornography, but what if your deep learning software mislabels satellite images regarding hostile threats? UCLA researchers recently declared they found the limitations of deep learning and we are far closer than most folks guessed. The solution is good news for us humans, because living-breathing oversight is really still the only solution. Meaning deep learning AI is merely one tool out of many we will continue to use.
Patrick Roland, February 13, 2019
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