Microwaves, wiretapping, and genetics

By K Royal @HeartofPrivacy | Published April 11, 2017 | No Comments

Thanks to a friend and colleague, Prof. Gary Marchant at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU, I was invited to join Gary and Caroline Lynch to speak with 3TV’s Politics Unplugged’s Dennis Welch on March 19, 2017.

The questions were on three main topics…

the rules around wiretapping and could then-Pres. Obama have wiretapped now Pres. Donald Trump before the elections?
employers collecting genetic data on employees through new bill
and whether your microwave can spy on you

It was quite lucky that each of us has recently researched or worked with one of these topics respectively.

Caroline took the first issue on wiretapping and discussed the relevant laws and historical context. It is possible, but it is unlikely that Trump was targeted directly.

On genetics, there is a bill working its way through Congress that would permit employers to collect genetic information, in this case related to wellness programs. Unfortunately, under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, genetic information includes information about relatives, which is standard information doctors ask during physicals – do you have a family history of heart attacks, high blood pressure, cancer, etc.

On microwave spying – well, that one came to me. Microwaves are not typically equipped with cameras and microphones, but they could be and the average consumer – or heck, even the sophisticated consumer – would not know it. In fact, in 2016, a hacker used a series of smart toasters to take down multiple major websites. It’s possible, but unlike Samsung TVs, not likely.

My favorite quote in the entire video is when Dennis asked for our last words of wisdom. Yours truly announced that we’re not paranoid if it’s really happening…

For the full video, watch here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX5UYk19Uhc&t=36s

(and no, no one warned me that there was no table. they were in process of moving studios…so knees together, ladies!)

K Royal @HeartofPrivacy

Live. Love. Laugh. Listen. RN turned attorney. Nothing I write or say should be taken as legal advice. I do not take clients. I also don't give enemas - so don't look to me for nursing care, either. Self-licensed to use sarcasm, always carrying, rarely concealed.