Comments on: Safety: Nike + iPod Sportkit Surveillance?

By: Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Cycle, Cycle Too » Nike + iPod kerffule

Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Cycle, Cycle Too » Nike + iPod kerffule — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 05:06:02 +0000

[...] So, there’s been a bunch of flopping and twitching lately about the fact that the wonderful Nike+iPod kit can be used to track users, and isn’t that a terrible invasion of privacy, and wah-wah-wah. [...]

By: jank

jank — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:59:48 +0000

I’ll go into a little bit more detail over at RunMystic, but this is a concern with ANYTHING that’s wireless – with only a little bit of knowhow, as little as $100 in parts and materials, and a little bit of open source software, anything that transmits radio waves can be tracked and intercepted.

Radio Waves go through the air in much the same way that sound waves do. And they can be intercepted in much the same way that a conversation can be overheard.

As far as relative risks goes, your cell phone is in a pretty similar frequency band, periodically transmits locating information to keep aware of which towers are in the area, and has a range of miles instead of feet… Nike+iPod has much more in common with the wireless transmitter for a Heart Rate Monitor than the cell phone…

By: Tammy

Tammy — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 02:12:56 +0000

I agree, not a big deal. I think it was more of a ‘be aware’ for women who may be victims of stalking then any kind of identity theft type activities. As for government satelites, they are sooooo watching me. Now if you’ll excuse me, my foil hat is in need of repair.

By: mark "booya" sta-ana

mark "booya" sta-ana — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 21:20:14 +0000

Aaron,

Thanks for chiming with sensible advice on the issue. When I started seeing news of this problem appearing on the blogosphere, I groaned because I expected every tin foil hat wearing fool to be up in arms about this revelation.

Thank goodness CRN aren’t /those/ kinda guys

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 21:02:27 +0000

Very informative. Thanks!!

By: Ebitty

Ebitty — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 17:52:19 +0000

As a techy myself, these kind of projects are always interesting to read about. But who are these villainous people that have nothing better to do than track the whereabouts of the every-man?

It’s good to know the potential is there. As for me, I look forward to getting my Nike + kit this Christmas. Likely I will be turning off the the sensor in between runs.