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Letter: Future worries

Published 15 February 2012

From Michael Leonard

I am only part way through your 4 February issue and already worried. First, you report the possibility of drones in civilian air space (p 20). I dread a future blighted by them, advertising myriad things I don’t want while possibly also videoing me.

Then there is the story on the FBI plan to monitor social networks (p 21), which it says is to detect terrorist activity. Who decides what counts as terrorist activity and how can I ensure that a seemingly innocuous comment by me is not misinterpreted?

Finally, bendy batteries woven into fabrics could be used to defibrillate me if necessary (p 22). With the ability of even the best technology to crash, I don’t relish the prospect of getting an unexpected few hundred volts when walking down the street.

Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK

Issue no. 2852 published 18 February 2012

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