#11 Convenience or Control?
From Convenience to Control: The Dark Side of UX and Data Tracking
Notes from Ömer
I came across an interesting YouTube channel last night while surfing YouTube. It’s called Watches of Espionage. The channel talks about how smartwatches are threatening your privacy and how intelligence agencies use data coming from these watches. I am not sure if the channel owner has any agreements with traditional watch sellers but they make interesting videos.
Besides the channel, there is a fact that we pay for products, and then we become the products. The data protection you agree is mostly applicable in the times you continue using that software or product. The cookies we allow and the checkboxes we mark while signing up for an app or website are applicable until you leave that platform. They use or sell your/our data afterward.
But what’s wrong with this? If you’re not a spy or not in a critical role in government. It doesn’t matter. Do you think so? Let’s step back and try to see what are the inputs and outputs for the system.
So basically, as consumers, we buy things, and we produce some digital footprint on the devices/software. Companies get this data and improve their software/product. That’s cool until behavioral science comes in. The UX improvements got too ahead, and we can’t stop using an app after we open it. The applications take us in a flow, and we forget the time.
We are not as productive or creative as before because we can’t focus on the thoughts we want to, our minds are not as clear as before because notifications won’t allow that. We can turn off them, but we don’t because we are addicted to dopamine coming from them.
We are not forced to buy things, but we can’t get rid of the related ads everywhere after we search for an item on Amazon. Not to mention seeing relevant ads when we only talk about things in an environment.
So UX improvements are great until they dictate to consume more at a level of mind control. (almost!)
News for Hardware Developers
📟 Texas Instruments Introduces MSPM0C1104 as the Smallest Available Microcontroller - Link
✏️ Design Trends in Consumer Electronics - Link
🖥️ Asus launches air-purifying monitors starting at $129 - Link
📟 Microchip Launches New PIC32A Chips For AI, Auto, Medical - Link
⌚️ Whoop releases new VO2 Max tracking feature for wearables - Link
Updates from Mountain Labs Office 🏔️
We have a lot of new sign-ups recently. So I mention again we’re a tech company trying to build calm products that aim to improve your health and well-being without disturbing you if it’s not necessary. Our first product is a portable cloud-free air quality tracker. We’re currently in the pre-order stage and very soon we will end the pre-order campaign.
We have worked on the wood case for the last two months. CNC machine tolerances, holes, electronics case fittings, and many more challenges have been resolved.
Meanwhile, we continue making real-time tests in different locations and different temperatures including -20 and below.
As of today, we’re performing the last tests, and soon, Odak Air Quality Tracker will enter its package and will be shipped to the first customers!
Last week we were in the mountains so we had to take some shots with the product. I am leaving some of them below. Hope you like it. If you would like to pre-order, check it out on our website.
See you later!