UBIQUITOUS FRIDAY

Breadcrumbs: The Future of Ubiquitous computing in 2025 --> UBIQUITOUS FRIDAY

2007 – 2013

The standard for biometric passports initiated during the post-9/11 era was adopted and implemented worldwide without any defensive actions by the public. Just like other security measures (such as limitations for liquids on board in November 2006) it was accepted as a necessary condition for secure (air) travel.

The development of new technologies was constantly growing, and so were economies of scale for new types of electronic devices. Electronic and household equipment producers were starting to form partnerships and slowly bringing fruit of these partnerships to the market. Samsung started branding it's own kitchen devices. Growth was also significant in the entertainment electronics sector where Microsoft became the market leader with its X-box and Media Center.

First laws focusing on data security, privacy trust and governance were accepted. The privacy regulations issue was strongly pushed by commissioner Reding who was active not only inside EU but also found a common ground in USA and China.

2013 – 2018

The success of biometric passports lead governments to introduce standardized IDs with embedded modern RFID chips. Gateways for reading the chips were placed at selected security sensitive locations such as subway and airport entrences, large malls, moques etc. The gateways were installed into the walls and doors so people soon didn't even realise their presence. All gathered information was saved in distributed network controlled by government agencies.

Businesses soon realized the potential of such information and started cooperating with the governments to further expand the gateway networks and information that was being recorded. The ways of using IDs were greatly expanded by many services of daily use incl. electronic payments. People were paying with their IDs (just like in the Octopus project launched several years ago in Honk Kong) appreciating the ease of payment. The otherside was on the other hand happy about having the information exactly who bought what.

Despite several (e-)privacy laws were put in place it soon became obvious that the laws were not able cover the topic completely. But the public pressure for more regulations was low because people tended to see only the positive side of the story and interests in the system of both the governments and businesses were too high. It seemed unlikely that the situation was going to change any time soon.

The universal broadband access and especially internet was widely spread and so were the technologically sophisticated entertainment and other household devices. This combination enabled collection of even more information from peoples’ homes. Together with the data from gateways a very complex, data-intensive information system was created. Debates about finding the right balance between the pros and cons of the system were regularly on TV and the public awareness of potential risks of such a system was starting to increase.

2018 – 2025

Lately the whole system has been mostly driven by businesses. To further expand the databases companies have used their experience of RFID technology in logistics and started adding the chips into their final products. The original idea behind the RFID network has been multiplied many times already.

There have been many attempts to penetrate the system but the governments’ supervision and strong support by businesses managed to control it. But finally one day the security measures are breached and information about every single individual put on the internet. Media and experts are suggesting that the breach was caused by an organized group of experienced hackers. Others think of internal information leak.

Whatever the case was, the event has started an unforeseen chain reaction. The government officials pressured by both public and media are resigning in large numbers. People realizing what has been happening in the past years go on strikes and demonstrate. Companies’ officials are being accused of breaking laws.

The combination of all these events leads to major decrease of stock prices and other securities and eventually the financial markets collapse on Friday September 12, 2025. The near future is covered with great uncertainty.