Pervasive Computing, Privacy and Distribution of the Self

Soraj Hongladarom

doi:10.3390/info2020360

Abstract

The emergence of what is commonly known as “ambient intelligence” or “ubiquitous computing” means that our conception of privacy and trust needs to be reconsidered. Many have voiced their concerns about the threat to privacy and the more prominent role of trust that have been brought about by emerging technologies. In this paper, I will present an investigation of what this means for the self and identity in our ambient intelligence environment. Since information about oneself can be actively distributed and processed, it is proposed that in a significant sense it is the self itself that is distributed throughout a pervasive or ubiquitous computing network when information pertaining to the self of the individual travels through the network. Hence privacy protection needs to be extended to all types of information distributed. It is also recommended that appropriately strong legislation on privacy and data protection regarding this pervasive network is necessary, but at present not sufficient, to ensure public trust. What is needed is a campaign on public awareness and positive perception of the technology.

Highlights

The emergence of what is known variously as “pervasive computing”, “ubiquitous computing”,“ambient intelligence”, or “internet of things” has created a number of conceptual and normative issues that deserve closer attention
The structure of the argument presented in this paper is that: The phenomenon of ubiquitous computing or ambient intelligence does affect the conception of the self in a significant way, and as the self is necessary as the basis on which privacy guidelines can be developed and defended, the emergence of ubiquitous or pervasive computing does have a significant impact on how privacy should be justified and how privacy guidelines could be developed and enforced
The problem is, if we are to reap the optimal benefit from the emerging technology of ubiquitous or pervasive networking, how should we ensure that the system is trusted by the user and that the user’s privacy is protected? Without a clear understanding of how trust and privacy can be ensured, the potential benefits of a world of pervasive networking can hardly be made fully available

Summary

Introduction

The emergence of what is known variously as “pervasive computing”, “ubiquitous computing”,. “ambient intelligence”, or “internet of things” has created a number of conceptual and normative issues that deserve closer attention Speaking, these refer to the ability of devices, which are normally not computers, to communicate with one another through a data network so that the network itself is not limited to the traditional structure of a computer network, but extends to ordinary things, Information 2011, 2 including the human body. I would like to focus on the conception of self that is affected by this emerging technology This issue is significant because guidelines designed to protect the privacy of the individual are justified on the basis of a conception of the self. The structure of the argument presented in this paper is that: The phenomenon of ubiquitous computing or ambient intelligence does affect the conception of the self in a significant way, and as the self is necessary as the basis on which privacy guidelines can be developed and defended, the emergence of ubiquitous or pervasive computing does have a significant impact on how privacy should be justified and how privacy guidelines could be developed and enforced

Ubiquitous Computing and the Self

The Self and Privacy

Justifying Privacy

Conclusion