DRM and Googles threat to Privacy.ppt

DRM and Google’s threat to Privacy Presented by: Aqila Dissanayake What is Privacy? Privacy “is the ability of an individual or group to keep their lives and personal affairs out of public view or to control the flow of information about themselves” [1]. Internet Privacy “is the ability to control what information one reveals about oneself over the Internet, and to control who can access that information” [2]. Digital Rights Management (DRM) DRM is a technology that attempts to control the use of digital media by preventing access, copying or conversion to other formats [3]. Why DRM? Even before the arrival of digital media copyright holders opposed the copying technologies Ex-: audio/video tape recording BetaMax Case With the invention of digital media their concerns skyrocketed. Not only is digital media easier to replicate it is much cheaper as well. Unlike copying from analog media, a computer can be used to copy digital media without any data loss. DRM was invented to prevent this from taking place. Why is DRM bad? To be effective, DRM methods have evolved into tracking personal information and the usage of the media that they protect, as well as enforce usage rules [4]. When trying to enforce usage rules, these technologies may restrict legally permitted use of that content as allowed by copyright law [4]. This is evident in some music CD’s that contain DRM which prevent the CD from playing in computers. Also, certain CD’s prevent the user from ripping it to the computer or even if it supports ripping the ripped music won’t transfer to a personal music player. This kind of behavior conflicts with a user’s privacy known as personal autonomy. After all the user pays for the CD he or she buys, which should give them the right to play it on any player they want. Also, if they want to transfer the music to a digital music player such as the Ipod, it should be allowed. Unfortunately DRM does not stop at that; certain DRM software go