Technology has provided improvements in our lives: it combatted many diseases, provided food, offered faster travel and communication. We barely see the potential dangers of technologies advances because we are so fascinated by them.
Here is a list of the most dangerous technologies in 2019 and their possible negative consequences.
1. E-money
Several powerful countries will move to a cashless society. At first sight, it may seem like a great idea to store money on smartphones or computers. But, before giving up on cash, we must understand the cons of electronic money.
First of all, E-money exposes your personal data to data breaches. Breaches have a negative impact on a customer’s base, particularly if the breach involves sensitive data. In other words, you don’t have any privacy left.
Hackers can drain your bank account when they want to. Be sure you keep your bank account sure. Otherwise, in a cashless society, you won’t have an alternative source of money. Technology problems can represent a major problem as well: they can leave you with no money in your personal account.
2. Facial recognition and identity
Originally used by governance to combat crime, facial recognition has been adopted by social media. For example, Facebook suggests friends that you can tag in your photos. Facial recognition analyses photographs of faces to find out personal details about its subject.
Facial recognition can be a useful tool, but it can be riskful for normal people. Just imagine how easy is to collect face recognition data in public places. They only nead clear pictures of the subjects. Stalkers will know more things about you and they can even commit identity fraud.
You should protect yourself from potential risks. Turn off the option for your face to be recognized on the internet and buy Equifax Credit Report & Score. It’s an app that lets you know when your financial details are being shared online by scammers.
3. Internet crime
Technology can be very useful for criminal activities like non-delivery of merchandise, child pornography, and electronic harassment. Evil people use the internet to commit crimes, some of which you didn’t even know are capable of being done online (sports betting, drug trafficking, and prostitution).
Authorities try to combat internet crime and punishments are more and more severe. For example, hacking someone’s email account for financial purposes carries a five-year sentence. If you harass someone online, you might stay for two years in jail.
Understand the risks of internet crime and be very careful. Get your passwords up to scratch and never use the names of your relatives or pets. Remember that hackers can easily access this information from your social media profiles.
4. AI
Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by computer systems. AI can automate tasks to get them done more accurately and reduces the chances of errors. But in the wrong hands, it may turn into a dangerous digital weapon.
For example, did you know that artificial intelligence can take your pictures and videos and create an artificial new you? Deepfake technology has advanced so far that it doesn’t need many data to create fake, but realistic videos of you.
Hackers and spammers use artificial intelligence to send fake emails to trick people into revealing their private info. AI can blackmail people or hack into systems very quickly and efficiently, so don’t click on weird links and don’t offer personal information to random online strangers!
5. Spying Smart Home Devices
Smart devices are connected to the internet and deliver personalized services to make our lives easier. But everything comes with a price and they come with the invasion of privacy.
You should know that every device from your house can turn into an abuse of your personal data. For smart home devices to work more efficiently, they need to know everything about your daily activities. For instance, your Nest thermostat knows your temperature preferences and your schedule in order to save money on your heating bill.
There are some ways to control your privacy. You can cover up cameras, turn off devices when not used and mute microphones.
6. Fake News Bots
Bots help to spread fake news and increase the apparent popularity of fake news on social media. Even if they are computer algorithms, bots simulate the behavior of human beings online (talk to other users, send messages, etc.)
Grover is an artificial intelligence system that can write fake news from a headline. Experts say that Grover creates more trustworthy articles than those written by real people. When fake news is promoted as true, humans trust them.
Because here is the main problem. People are smart, but they are sensitive. The spread of fake news is a consequence of innocent people sharing content without checking their authenticity.
