New tracking technologies are set to be released in the next ten years that will revolutionise our everyday lives, according to technology and security expert and founder of Calamity, Daniel Lewkovitz. Lewkovitz shared his predictions for the biggest developments in tracking technology and if they pose any cyber security risks.
Lewkovitz said the next generation of smartphones could include built-in eye tracking technology so notifications will only be displayed when the user is looking at the screen. It will also make autocorrect more intuitive, automatically autocorrecting a word depending on whether or not the user was focused on what they were typing.
“Eye-tracking enabled smartphones will offer an additional biometric safety measure. Smart phones already use fingerprint passwords and retinal or iris based authentication will automatically assist to keep data secure from criminals or recognise who is using a device and configure it accordingly,” he said.
He mentioned that tracking technology will enable smart shopping centres, as they are already embracing technology to draw customers back to bricks-and- mortar stores.
With facial recognition technology, they will be able to identify particular customers such as regulars or those banned for shoplifting. Tracking the way people move through stores will enhance the experience, making it more personal while increasing revenue for stores.
However, he said there is the possibility for inadvertent privacy breaches.
“An American chain store used data-analytics to identify possibly pregnant women from changes to their shopping habits. It caused a scandal when they sent coupons for baby products to a high-school student, causing her father to lash out at the store. However, the analysis was correct.”
Tracking technology also has the potential to make individuals safer than ever before, according to Lewkovitz.
Devices and mobile apps have been designed to protect lone workers, the elderly, disabled, or anyone who might feel unsafe or at-risk.
“These devices are designed to increase safety and support risk-management. Given the obvious safety benefits of these systems there is the possibility of users feeling ‘bulletproof’ and exposing themselves to unnecessary additional risk,” he said.
In addition, fitness bands and smart watches are expected to grow in popularity and become even smarter. Sensors may begin to be attached directly to the skin on temporary patches or even swallowed, eventually being embedded inside the body.
“But it is possible that wearable devices could be compromised, revealing personal information including the users location. A hack on smart pacemaker devices could theoretically allow a person to induce a heart attack in someone with one fitted.”
The last prediction he mentioned is advancements in VR.
“Will we soon be able to move inanimate objects just by using our eyes? VR uses motion-tracking and eye-tracking to create the most immersive experiences.
“The virtual environment is very new and therefore at risk of as yet unidentified security threats. Privacy policies and encryption processes are still in the early stages of use and may not reflect the needs of users,” he added.
