Community News
Tracking and Tracing – Is Global Surveillance a thing of the Future?
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
“When it comes to the greater good, your privacy is null and void.”
This quote is going to hold significance as you read through this article. Last Friday, on my show “A Better Tomorrow,” I came across a news story on Thursday evening with the title, “UK Residents to Wear a RFID Microchip under their Skin from January 1, 2021.”
I was interested, so I began to dig deeper into the story. By Friday morning, there were three to four articles discussing the idea, and I proceeded in bringing the information to the public. By Sunday, afternoon, there were eight to nine different articles debunking the story as a myth. As I researched, I also noted that some of the articles that had originally been posted had been taken down.
I found this peculiar and disheartening because this week’s cover story was built around this story. I stepped back from it all, and then began my research again. Being in the media has taught me the importance of objectivity, and to take my time presenting information that may shock or incite emotions.
Let’s take a step back for a moment, and revisit two movies that now seem way before their time; or were they.
The Manchurian Candidate (2004)
This update to the original movie stars Denzel Washington, who plays Captain Ben Marco. He suffers extreme trauma during his time in the first Gulf War, and when he returns home, life for him is never the same. He is haunted by dreams of what did happen, or what didn’t happen during the war. As Marco investigates, he discovers an implant in his back. After having the implant analysed, Marco realizes that it is a Nano technological experiment connected with Manchurian Global, a powerful private equity firm with major political connections.
Enemy of the State (1998)
This movie stars Will Smith as a Washington, D.C., lawyer whose life is dismantled bit by bit because he possesses proof that a congressman was murdered for opposing a bill that would make government snooping easier. For some reason, in 1998, they are already talking about “the surveillance society,” an America in which underground computers at Fort Meade monitor our phone calls for trigger words like “bomb,” “president” and “Allah.”
I shine a light on these movies because long before COVID-19, talks about our privacy being infringed was already a discussion, and most recently, this rhetoric is being revisited, but this time it is being discussed in the terms of public safety.
“What rights do you give up, when it comes to public health safety?”
I was introduced to a video where a young American woman was sharing her experience with getting her contact-tracing certificate. In the video, certain words stuck out to me: TESTING, TRACING, AND TREATMENT. It was for these reasons that contact tracing has taken precedence in the fight against COVID-19.
Well, what is contact tracing? This is technology that will allow health officials to notify you if you get a test that is positive for COVID-19. Most COVID-19 contact-tracing apps use Bluetooth signal strength to infer distance between smartphones and define exposure status based on distance from, and duration of proximity to, an individual subsequently identified as infected. Some of these apps have already been released in Alberta, Australia and Singapore using a framework developed by Singapore’s Government Technology Agency.
Once you have been told that you are at risk of having COVID-19, you are forwarded to a tracer, and that tracer will do some research on you, and give you a call. They will tell you that you need to be isolated for a minimum of 10 days. You will have to show visible evidence that you are isolated, meaning that no one can be in the place you are staying.
If you are quarantined, you must be by yourself for 14 days. A contact tracer will provide you with any social services needed. This means you can’t go shopping, and in some cases, they will even remove children from your home. You can’t be in contact with anyone, even if you are totally healthy.
The trained contact tracer will ask you questions like, “Whom did you come in contact with.” They will instruct you to look at your phone and open your social media so they can see who you have been around.
You can keep getting quarantined again, and again, and again
She also introduced a Voluntary Quarantine Form, and in the form, they state that if you do not comply with the request, they may use a detention order, enforced by the police. I found this odd, because if the form is supposed to be voluntary, why is it being enforced?
In America, there is now widespread sharing of information between law enforcement and medical practitioners, all because of COVID-19. It has come to the point where businesses will be taking your information in case, they must contact you if someone was infected. Why? Well so you can quarantine, even if you did not contract COVID-19.
America appears to be following China and Korea, who have a centralized data system, and people are tracked using GPS. In India, they released a contact tracing app that they say is voluntary, and citizens were told that they did not need to download. Only issue, if you want to go anywhere (travel, work, stores, train), you must show the app, showing that you are not infected. This means that you can’t do anything unless you have this app. Aarogya Setu, which means “bridge to health” in Sanskrit – was launched just nine weeks ago. In New Zealand, you must scan your QR code to do anything.
What does this all mean? It means that the nations are able to enforce contact tracing without military, or police presence.
Now let’s return to that microchip piece. In an interview with Jay Walker, CEO of Apiject Systems, CBN news highlighted the company, which is now in a $138 million public-private partnership with the White House for a project called Project Jumpstart. They are currently innovating a way to deliver millions of vaccines to Americans using eye drop technology, and potentially using RFID chips on a voluntary basis to track vaccine use. This will all be to aid public health officials in case there are future outbreaks.
In his interview Jay stated that the technology has the capability to utilize RFID chips that are connected to the dosage amount. He claims that there is no personal information on the chip, just information on the dosage. It is for health officials to analyse where a vaccine is most needed in an area. The US has not decided if they want to turn on that technology as of yet. In some states, they are actually stating that if you refuse vaccination, they can bring you to your doctor, and plunge a need in your arm. Their words, not mine.
CBS This Morning did a story “Technology Implants; Microchip could improve lives but cost our privacy.” The story shone light on some compelling facts. One being that every time you use the chip, it leaves a digital footprint, which can cost you your privacy. Although some businesses in Sweden have implemented the use of microchips, it is hard not to be weary of a non-stop, potential connection to your body that cannot be turned off. “It is very easy to hack a chip implant,” the interviewed bio hacker warned, “Do not put too much personal information on this chip.”
Mr Bill Gates was back in the news a few weeks back when he mentioned the possibility of having a “digital certificate” for health records “eventually,” but he did not say these certificates would be “microchip implants.”
When asked about the claim, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation told Reuters, “The reference to ‘digital certificates’ relates to efforts to create an open source digital platform with the goal of expanding access to safe, home-based testing.” A Digital certificate is further described as an “electronic document” used to identify an individual and associate the identity with a public key. Like a driver’s license or a passport, it provides proof of a person’s identity.
Let’s take this a step further. The Greater Game India did an article titled “COVI PASS – UK Introduces Biometric RFID Enabled Coronavirus Digital Health Passports. The article reports on the UK government’s preparation for the rollout of COVI PASS – Biometric RFID enabled Coronavirus Digital Health Passports to monitor nearly every aspect of citizens’ lives in the name of strengthening public health management. The COVI-PASS website bills this piece of technology as “the World’s most secure Digital Health Passport.”
Exposed in this article is also a plan to chip the human race through the digital identification program ID2020, which was exposed in the Italian parliament by Sara Cunial, the Member of Parliament for Rome.
As countries continue to implement digital tracing technology, privacy and surveillance experts have shown their hesitance, warning that any digital data collection should include a sunset clause, which means that there is a specific date that data will no longer be collected. Also, the data collected must only be in relation to the coronavirus pandemic and must be deleted when it is no longer needed.
Now, what does this have to do with us, the great people of Ontario Canada?
Well, the Ontario government has launched a new contact tracing strategy that will help prepare for a potential second wave of Covid-19 this fall.
How are they going to do this? Part of the strategy includes a mobile app that will use Bluetooth technology to notify other users if they have come in contact with someone who tested positive for the novel coronavirus. It will also allow users to contact their local public health unit by using a form through the app.
Last Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informed Ontarians that we would be the first province to test the tool. The use of the app is completely voluntary, and eventually, it will be implemented nationwide. Prime Minister Trudeau is encouraging Canadians to download this app on their cell phones.
“It will be up to individual Canadians to decide whether to download the app or not, but the app will be most effective when as many people as possible have it.”
The app will be available to download on July 2nd, 2020, and officials have stressed that the mobile app will not collect personal data or health information from its users.
There is more to come, and I hope that our community will continue to do their research. Change is coming, whether we like it or not.
References
CBS This Morning, April 12th, 2017
Technology Implants: Microchip could improve lives but cost our privacy.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/microchip-implants-could-improve-lives-but-cost-privacy/#x
Greater Game India, May 27, 2020
COVI PASS – UK Introduces Biometric RFID Enabled Coronavirus Digital Health Passports
https://greatgameindia.com/covi-pass-biometric-rfid-enabled-coronavirus-digital-health-passports/
RFID Chip may be tied to the new Coronavirus Vaccine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhcjlddfO7U
Community News
Urban Alliance on Race Relations celebrates and highlights Racial Justice Award recipients
BY PAUL JUNOR
It has been almost 40 years since the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) has been at the forefront of: promoting tolerance, social justice, racial equity and fairness. Since it was formed in 1975, they have celebrated and recognized changemakers in the fight for racial justice in diverse sectors such as: health, labour, government, education, arts, media, environment, and justice.
On Saturday, December 7th, 2024, there was a great turnout at the 2024 Racial Justice Awards Night held at The Estate Banquet & Event Centre in Scarborough. In attendance were many community supporters, civic officials, long-time racial justice warriors, and individuals from diverse ethnic groups.
UARR is grateful for all the sponsors of the Racial Justice Awards Night Celebration. It notes in its email to its supporters on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, the importance of its sponsors including:
- United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) of Canada, UFCW, Local 175
- The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 353
- Unite Here! Local 75
- Toronto & York Region Labour Council
- Canadian Labour Congress
- The Coalitions of Black Trade Union (CBTUL)
“Your sponsorship plays a vital role in shining a light on individuals and organizations driving equity, justice, and change in our communities. This celebration is more than an event, it’s a movement. Thanks to your support, we’re: honoring changemakers, amplifying unheard voices, and funding initiatives that break down systemic barriers.”
The categories and names of the awards and recipients were:
Racial Justice in Arts: Hannia Cheng
She is an artist and cultural worker who co-founded Unit 270, a DIY gallery and multi-purpose grassroots community hub in Chinatown Centre.
Racial Justice in Labour: Vanessa Story
She is the founder of the Black Youth York Region and co-founder of the York Communities for Public Education coalition.
Racial Justice in Education: Shannon Simpson
She is Senior Director of Indigenous Initiatives at the University of Toronto.
Racial Justice in Environment: Dr. Ingrid Waldron
She is a Professor and HOPE Chair in Peace and Health in the Global and Peace and Social Justice Program in the Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University.
Urban Alliance of Race Relations Agent of Change Award: Kirk Mark
He is the Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Consultant at KIRK Mark & Associates.
Racial Justice in Media: Amanda Parris
She is an award-winning writer, tv host and producer, and former host of CBC Arts Exhibitionist.
Racial Justice in Health: Camille Orridge
She is former CEO of the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (TCLHIN).
Racial Justice in Government: Amira Elghawaby
She is a journalist and human rights advocate who was appointed in January 2023 as Canada’s Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia.
Racial Justice in Justice: South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario (SALC0)
This legal clinic supports low-income South Asian people in Canada.
The funds raised from the Awards night will be going toward the work of the Diversity Youth Fellowship Program. This innovative and creative program is directly involved in enabling racialized youth to get paid experience working in municipal governments and at various public policy making organizations across Canada.
The performers at the event included: Katheen Zaragosa (a Filipino music performer), Rithika Jeristus & Maya Jeristus (Bharatanatyam dancers) and Yasmin Said (spoken word artist)
UARR is looking forward to its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025 and shared five of its strategic priorities for the next 10 years including:
- Employment and economic opportunity: The goal is to foster inclusive workspaces and economic opportunities.
- Education: The goal is to promote racial equity in education and research.
- Communication: The goal is to expand public awareness and reach to amplify our stories.
- Community engagement and outreach: The goal is building community capacity and convening towards change.
- Truth and reconciliation-relationship building and supporting calls to action. The goal is to strengthen our solidarity and action towards truth and reconciliation.
Community News
What is it about those short videos that keep us captivated? Oh! Yes! Our short attention span
BY KAHA GEDI
As our attention spans decrease, short form videos are becoming more popular. From TikTok, to YouTube Shorts, to Instagram Reels, these “snack sized” videos have positive qualities alongside the bad. Mainly we want to know what makes them so effective, and why are they becoming the go-to choice for both viewers and marketers? In this article, I will be discussing how these videos have received such popularity worldwide.
First, we need to understand what counts as and what is short-form content. According to blog.hubspot.com, “Short-form videos are videos that are less than 60 seconds long.” However, some marketers and content creators agree that short-form videos can be up to 3 minutes. “They are videos that deliver information in a ‘digestible’ format so that viewers can quickly watch and save content if they’re in a hurry or enjoy it.” Now, I’ll talk about the main reasons why these videos are so popular.
First, our attention spans have gone down exponentially. Dr Gloria Mark has written a book called “Attention Span,” and she says her research indicates people’s attention spans have been shrinking over the last 20 years. According to the same article Dr. Mark said that “Back in 2004, we found the average attention span on any screen to be two and a half minutes on average. Throughout the years, it became shorter. So, around 2012, we found it to be 75 seconds. Then in the last five, six years, we found it to average about 47 seconds.” So, it’s notable that our attention spans started out longer but then decreased over time.
Secondly, these videos have become cheaper and easier to make. Unlike long-form videos, which require extensive: planning, editing, and storytelling, short-form videos are simpler. To the point where they can even be shot on a smartphone. For example, DuoLingo, the app that helps learn new languages, went viral on TikTok a long time ago by posting funny, low-budget videos that resonate with millions. Like a video of a DuoLingo plus being: tossed down the stairs, sitting outside on a rainy day, or being soaked by the shower with the title “When you ignore my notifications.”
Lastly, they provide valuable information in a short amount of time, and they are easily accessible. According to a recent Adobe Survey, two in five Americans use TikTok as a search engine, and nearly one in 10 Gen Zeers are more likely to rely on TikTok than Google as a search engine. This isn’t always reliable for real news because anyone can claim to be an expert, and you wouldn’t know if they’re telling the truth. So, even though they give valuable information in a short time, they can also give misinformation or mislead you.
Short-form videos have changed how we watch and learn things. They fit our short attention spans, are easy to make, and share information quickly. Even though they’re fun and helpful, they can also spread false information or leave out important details. Even with these problems, short-form videos are here to stay, so we should use them in proportion, but also enjoy the benefits.
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Jake
July 2, 2020 at 5:01 pm
Great article! Really appreciate the information.