Enabling pervasive computing with smart phones

The authors discuss their experience with a number of mobile telephony projects carried out in the context of the European Union Information Society Technologies research program, which aims to develop mobile information services. They identify areas where use of smart phones can enable pervasive computing and offer practical advice in terms of lessons learned. To this end, they first look at the mobile telephone as * the end point of a mobile information service,* the control device for ubiquitous systems management and configuration,* the networking hub for personal and body area networks, and* identification tokens.They conclude with a discussion of business and practical issues that play a significant role in deploying research systems in realistic situations

Mapping and analysis of the current self- and co- regulatory framework of commercial communication aimed at minors

As the advertising sector has been very active in self-regulating commercial communication aimed at children, a patchwork of different rules and instruments exist, drafted by different self-regulatory organisations at international, European and national level. In order to determine the scope and contents of these rules, and hence, the actual level of protection of children, a structured mapping of these rules is needed. As such, this report aims to provide an overview of different categories of Alternative Regulatory Instruments(ARIs,such as self- and co-regulation regarding (new) advertising formats aimed at children. This report complements the first legal AdLit research report, which provided an overview of the legislative provisions in this domain.status: publishe

Watching the Watchmen: An Ethical Evaluation of the Behavior of Modern Software Applications

Software has become a ubiquitous element of modern life around the world. An unprecedented amount of power is bestowed upon the companies that own and operate that software. The obvious question arises: “Do these companies operate in an ethical manner regarding their software?” We derive an ethical code via synthesizing the ethical codes of both the IEEE and the ACM, disregarding principles that cannot be examined by an outside observer. We utilize this ethical code to examine five leaders in the software industry, namely Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter, and Amazon. For each company, we examine four incidents in which they had the opportunity to either adhere to or disregard ethical practices. We then tabulate and analyze the data, noting common trends and outstanding results. From this analysis, we conclude that the majority of the companies act in an ethical manner, but improvements must be made in the management of user information to keep what should be confidential information confidential, and to mitigate harm caused by breaches of that confidential information more effectively

Media and information literate citizens: think critically, click wisely!

Can we improve our societies by clicking wisely? Content providers such as libraries, archives, museums, media and digital communications companies can enable inclusive and sustainable development. However, they do not always live up to these ideals, which creates challenges for the users of these services. Content providers of all types open up new opportunities for lifelong learning. But at the same time, they open up challenges such as misinformation and disinformation, hate speech, and infringement of online privacy, among others. Media and information literacy is a set of competencies that help people to maximize advantages and minimize harms. Media and information literacy covers competencies that enable people to critically and effectively engage with: communications content; the institutions that facilitate this content; and the use of digital technologies. Capacities in these areas are indispensable for all citizens regardless of their ages or backgrounds. This pioneering curriculum presents a comprehensive competency framework of media and information literacy and offers educators and learners structured pedagogical suggestions. It features various detailed modules covering the range of competencies needed to navigate today’s communications ecosystem. This resource links media and information literacy to emerging issues, such as artificial intelligence, digital citizenship education, education for sustainable development, cultural literacy and the exponential rise in misinformation and disinformation. With effective use of this media and information literacy curriculum, everyone can become media and information literate as well as peer-educators of media and information literacy

Location-based social media and the strategic impact for companies

In the last couple of years online social networks expanded to a new field, location (Scellato and Mascolo, 2011). Technologies, such as smartphones and GPS, combined with users’ interest in being connected regardless of their location, created the opportunity for the appearance of location-based social media (Chow et al, 2010). This dissertation focuses in studying if location-based social media has a strategic impact for companies. To contextualize this subject, literature on Web 2.0 and online social media is reviewed. Furthermore, strategic frameworks (Resource Based View) and strategic concepts (Customer Relationship Management and Contextual Marketing) provide the theoretical base through which the discussion is carried. Empirical data collection is conducted in order to understand what are users’ preferences in the context of location-based social media, and to what extent they are willing to interact with companies. Through this process the research hypothesis presented in this dissertation are tested. The results are then extended to the strategic domain, allowing to comprehend under what assumptions location-based social media can be strategic for companies. Through the Resource Based View framework application contextual personalization is considered a factor that may conduct companies to obtain a sustained competitive advantage, by inducing switching costs to their customers, depending on companies’ propensity to appropriate returns from their existing superior capabilities. This dissertation concludes that location-based social networks can have a strategic impact for companies, under the assumptions that network effects exist in location-based social networks and that companies are able to use them in order to perform contextual personalization, originating switching costs for their customers. Additionally, this dissertation aims to contribute for the increase of the current knowledge over an emergent and present subject.Nos últimos dois anos as redes sociais online expandiram-se para uma nova área, localização (Scellato and Mascolo, 2011). Tecnologias, como os “smartphones” e GPS, combinadas com o interesse por parte dos utilizadores em estarem conectados, independentemente da sua localização, criaram a oportunidade para o aparecimento das redes sociais de geo-localização (Chow et al, 2010). Esta dissertação foca-se no estudo da existência ou não de impacto estratégico das redes sociais de geo-localização para as empresas. Para contextualizar este assunto, a literatura sobre Web 2.0 e as redes sociais online é revista. Adicionalmente, “frameworks” (“Resource Based View”) e conceitos (“Customer Relationship Management and Contextual Marketing”) estratégicos providenciam a base teórica através da qual a discussão é conduzida. A recolha de dados empíricos é conduzida com o intuito de compreender quais as preferências dos utilizadores das redes sociais de geo-localização, e até que ponto eles estão dispostos a interagir com as empresas. Através deste processo as hipóteses de investigação foram testadas. Os resultados foram posteriormente estendidos ao domínio estratégico, permitindo compreender sob que pressupostos as redes sociais de geo-localização são estratégicas para as empresas. Através da aplicação do “Resource Based View framework” a personalização contextual é considerada um factor que pode conduzir as empresas à obtenção de uma vantagem competitiva sustentada, induzindo custos de mudança aos seus consumidores, dependendo da capacidade das empresas em se apropriarem de retornos gerados pelas suas capacidades superiores existentes. Esta dissertação conclui que as redes sociais de geo-localização podem ter um impacto estratégico para as empresas, de acordo com os pressupostos de que os efeitos de rede existem nas redes sociais de geo-localização e de que as empresas são capazes de realizar personalização contextual através das mesmas, originando custos de mudança para os seus clientes. Adicionalmente, esta dissertação espera contribuir para o aumento do conhecimento actual sobre um tópico emergente e actual

THE CONSENT OF MAN: AN EXAMINATION OF PRIVACY AWARENESS, SURVEILLANCE, AND PRIVACY POLICY (MIS)USE

The problem of privacy is nuanced, pervasive, and requires an elevated approach. Given the lack of consistency with regard to privacy’s conceptualization and operationalization, research is needed that examines variables related to privacy to better understand how privacy operates in the present day. This dissertation aims to better understand nuances of privacy by gauging knowledge of online privacy, technological affordances related to privacy, and knowledge of surveillance. In this study, human subjects from a large southern University were presented with an opportunity to use a privacy-invasive smartphone application. After doing so, they viewed one of three privacy policies. Finally, they answered survey items measuring privacy awareness and surveillance awareness. It was found that there were no significant main effects between modality of privacy policy shown and awareness of privacy nor awareness of surveillance. However, significant individual differences were found between two types of privacy policies. It was also found that a significant and positive relationship existed between awareness of privacy, and awareness of surveillance. It was also found that a relationship existed between awareness of privacy and awareness of the communication affordances of visibility and encryption. The present study concludes with implications that benefit communication theory, social media research, and legal bodies who seek to address issues with present day privacy policies

Data Monopolization by the Tech Industry: Implications for Democracy

Based on Shumaila Shahani's central thesis “that the un­regulated accumulation of data by the tech industry has led to the consolidation of power among a select few, resulting in the erosion of democratic principles” she first explains the data-driven business model of digital platforms providing. She then explains the risks involved in uncontrolled data collection and in data misuse and highlights threats to democracy and national security concerns

Internet recruiting power: Opportunities and effectiveness

Recruiting via the Internet, or e-Recruitment, is a phenomenon that has led to the appearance of a new market in which there is an unprecedented level of interaction between employers and potential employees. In this paper we describe the actual and emergent models in the e-Recruitment market, assess the changes this new recruitment tool is bringing about in companies' practices and strategies, and analyse the risks and opportunities of e-Recruitment for companies and for job candidates.Internet; e-Recruiting