Meet the Textalyzer… and Our Next Big Project

Meet the Textalyzer… and Our Next Big Project

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We’ve been measuring drunk driving for years. Since the Drunk-o-Meter was invented back in the ’30s. But now, it’s distracted driving that’s killing people, and tracking that is just getting started. 

That’s what Ben Lieberman learned, when his teenage son was killed in a crash. Lieberman checked the driver’s phone records. And anyone who listened to Serial knows those are powerful documents. They can show what cell tower your phone was near, calls in and out. But what they can’t track is swipes, taps and clicks. 

So Lieberman created the Textalyzer. Like the Breathalyzer, but for your phone. It can reveal every touch - just the action, not the content. And the company behind it might be familiar, if you followed the saga of the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone.

SHARE YOUR PRIVATE THOUGHTS. WITH US, AT LEAST.  

If the idea of the Textalyzer sets off your privacy Spidey sense, we understand. We’re all figuring out where to draw the line on data sharing, and how to balance privacy, safety, and our modern lives. It’s something we’re going to be thinking about a lot more in the new year, and we want your help. 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT PRIVACY, ONLINE AND OFF

Every year, Note to Self teams up with our listeners to take on a project together. We’ve tackled information overload and boredom. Next, we’re taking on privacy: the how, and the why. But we need to hear from you, about what matters and what you want to learn. 

Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey. The project won’t be the same without you.

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