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SSN Interdisciplinary Seminar The ideology of operating-system (OS) design and the implications for victims of family violence: The comparative threat of spyware for Android versus iPhone users In this interdisciplinary seminar, Diarmaid Harkin, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, and Adam Molnar, Lecturer in Criminology, will discuss operating-system design and its implications for victims of family violence. They will be joined in conversation by two invited respondents from STEM and HASS who will provide their disciplinary perspectives on the topic. Light refreshments will be provided, please RSVP for catering purposes. Abstract: This paper argues that spyware products sold to general consumer audiences are a greater threat to those who own Android devices than those who own iPhones. This is a consequence of the Android operating-system being inherently more permissive of software functionality, allowing third-party developers greater latitude to build programs of less restrained capability. The ‘openness’ of the Android environment, and the comparative ‘closed’ nature of the iOS environment, are deliberate design-choices reflecting ideological attitudes of how much ‘freedom’ and ‘control’ ought to be granted to end-users over their smartphone. In the case of spyware, this ‘openness’ can create a significant series of risks, affording malicious actors the opportunity for spying on the smartphone activities of unsuspecting targets. Such risks, however, are disproportionately carried by certain social groups over others. In particular, victims of family violence are a cohort who are significantly threatened by the rise of spyware and those who are Android users unfortunately carry a more pronounced level of risk. This paper therefore offers a reflection on the connections between coding choices and personal security risks. It will call for greater social-scientific interrogation of ideologies that underpin software design and the exploration of their implications for wider social problems About the speakers: Dr Diarmaid Harkin is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Deakin University. His current active research projects examine the use of private security companies by family violence services; the threat of the consumer spyware industry; and the challenges of cyber-crime for the police. He has also conducted numerous studies into community policing in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Adam Molnar's work focuses on policing and national security as they relate to practices of surveillance, the use of technology, and associated issues of privacy and social control. Adam Molnar's work focuses on policing and national security as they relate to practices of surveillance, the use of technology, and associated issues of privacy and social control. About the respondents: Dr. Antonio Giardina is a Senior Research Fellow with the Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A²I²) leading the institute’s Defence projects. His research interests include: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Simulation Modelling & Analysis, Distributed Systems & Cloud Computing, and Software Engineering. His current research work focuses on AI Robustness, looking at the operationalisation of AI within the industry context. Antonio completed a PhD in computer science on the topic of distributed real-time simulation. Prior to his academic career, Antonio gained industry experience while working for the technology consultancy firm Accenture. Dr Jennifer Beckett is a lecturer in media communications at the University of Melbourne. Her areas of research include social media, online community management, moderation and below the line commentary, marketing communications, public and community engagement, and journalism practice. She has previously worked as an online and social media producer at the ABC, while her PhD focused on the use of media as a means of addressing national traumas. See more on Diarmaid's work on debugging devices for victims of family violence in the SSN Spotlight video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FupNBLzjmpg
Event Contact:
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