Our information must be protected
Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy has again declared he will sell the information vacuumed up by his Smart City gadgets to folks who will make money with the massaged data. Don’t believe the data is anonymous.
Purchasers will be able to cross-reference databases to identify who we are and bombard us with their pitches.
Nonetheless, City Council members have apparently not done preparation like the Smart City Homework I tried to assign them two years ago, to make sure they (and the public) know what information is being swept up and how our privacy and security are being protected. (See: https://tinyurl.com/SmartCityHomework)
It’s not just those streetlight spy hubs turning our lives into digital money-makers. The Parking Passport program forced upon us last year knows where we are and has our credit information. Similarly, “free” Wi-Fi is keeping records of our internet usage and more. Which “permissions” have we unknowingly granted them and consented to?
The Parking Passport software requires permission to read, modify or delete the contents of your USB storage, know your exact location, receive internet data and prevent your device from sleeping.
There are many important questions, such as: Can our smartphones and Internet of Things (IoT) devices be monitored when we just drive-by or sit at home near the new 5-G hives? I believe so. Also, why are tech giants like Cisco and Amazon pulling out of Smart City projects?
We should demand to know how council members and candidates plan to inform and protect us and our tax dollars.
David Giacalone
Schenectady
Schenectady starts at Gateway Park
To Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy: The entrance to the city of Schenectady is not at the corner of Union Street and Erie Boulevard, in case you didn’t know that.
The entrance of Schenectady is at Gateway Park where Lady Liberty has always been. Put her where she belongs, not where you want her.
That’s where Schenectady started, not on your beloved Union Street.
Rita Smith
Schenectady
Declining Milton needs new leaders
The past few years I’ve been more out of Milton than in town. But the home I’ve raised my boys in, the community I’ve worked and volunteered for, hasn’t exactly been in the rear view mirror. Just set to the side for a bit.
It’s with open eyes and absence I can see the demise in my hometown. from graffiti to a broken down town hall. The lack of smiles and spark. No laughter and regular “noise” from kids outside or dog walkers.
A deeper look was like …….
Source: https://dailygazette.com/2021/10/28/letters-to-the-editor-thursday-oct-28/