There was a rather disturbing article in the ABC News feed this week about an investigation by Choice (Australian Consumer Magazine) on the ways in which data, sometimes sensitive, is being harvested by modern technology in newer cars and then sold on to data collection agencies.
The data includes voice, as well as driving behaviours, and, in one well-known electric car manufacturer, video.
The disturbing aspect of this revelation (invasion) is that the cars' owners are mostly unaware that this is happening as it's the default option adopted by car manufacturers.
But owners have the ability to change this in the cars' settings.
Surely one would think that this would be an invasion of privacy and would not be accepted by our country's governments of all persuasions, but apparently, this is not so.
So, if you are the owner of a reasonably late model car, go into the car's settings and opt out of this feature. Unless, of course, you are OK with your data being sold to third parties.
A check with Choice will confirm if your car is involved in this data collection. There were only three car manufacturers, selling in Australia, that do not engage in this practice.
Michael Stevenson, Warners Bay
Bright times ahead for nation
Mark Jacobson of Princeton University says: "Anyone saying that we need fossil fuels, nuclear, or any other conventional energy resource to keep the lights on 24/7 hasn't done the analysis." ("We're missing a power Plan B", Letters, 7/10).
Professor Jacobson's team has in fact determined that 149 out of 149 countries, including Australia, can have 100 per cent clean renewable energy by 2050.
And they find it would be significantly cheaper than the current arrangement.
The Economic Regulation Authority chair Steve Edwell, who has also been doing the analysis, adds:
"Sometime early in the next decade we will have 10-hour batteries that are cost effective.
"Then it is game over for base-load (coal or nuclear) power . . . we just won't need it."
In some countries this may not be so true, but Australia's world-beating renewable resources mean we should rejoice - and put our shoulders to the wheel getting the infrastructure installed.
Lesley Walker, Northcote
Council transparency
Since the incoming ALP City of Newcastle councillors appear hot under the collar to improve council's transparency and good governance ("Labor fires up over lord mayor's new appointment", Herald, 8/10), they should welcome the opportunity of the new lord mayor to reopen the Scott Neylon letter writing scandal.
First, they could release the information requested by the Herald ("How much did City of Newcastle spend on Bath investigation? It won't say", Herald, 11/5).
This information could reveal what the investigation cost, who decided to exclude the Herald from the investigation, and the letter writer's IP address.
Next, the new council could vote to extend the investigation to include the letter written under the apparent pseudonym of Jason Sivo, who shared the same mobile number as the other letter writers.
This letter is even more damning because Mr Sivo was inexplicably able to access correspondence accessible only by a closed email network of council heads, including general managers.
The new lord mayor has been very open about why he appointed his temporary chief of staff.
It's time for the ALP councillors to reciprocate.
Christine Everingham, Newcastle East
Labor's poor path to repair
I read with great interest the suggestion from Newcastle's Labor councillors regarding footpaths in the city, and I laughed ("Ambitious plans to step up on footpaths", Herald, 7/10).
Labor has had 10 years of control of Newcastle City Council and did very little about the dilapidated footpaths.
But now that the new lord mayor, Ross Kerridge, has plans for renewal and maintenance of those paths as a cornerstone of his election campaign, it appears to be Labor's idea.
If this is a beginning of an era where councillors work together, forgetting party politics for the betterment of Newcastle, that would be wonderful. However, I fear that this is an attempt to dictate the agenda.
Newcastle's Labor councillors are fooling no one.
Denise Lindus Trummel, Newcastle
SHORT TAKES
Applause for volunteers
Congratulations to Jill Stewart on receiving the Hunter Volunteer Award. Congratulations also to Sarah Williams. I am sure that they would be just as humbled as I was 15 years ago with the same awards. Many hundreds of people give their time and love wanting nothing more than to help others. By being singled out from many other nominees, one can only feel that we are accepting the award on behalf of all volunteers.
Laurie Bowman, Elermore Vale
Zooming in on meeting
I really want to know why Nuatali Nelmes attended the first meeting of the new council by Zoom. Surely it was in her diary? Is this the level of commitment we can expect from her now that she is no longer captain of the ship? Her constituents deserve better.
Ruth Burrell, Merewether
Would fail pub test
I believe that the reasons behind the Newcastle council's move to strip the new lord mayor, Ross Kerridge, of many of the powers afforded to his predecessor would not pass the 'pub test' ("Power strip", Herald, 10/10). That the three major parties put aside their differences to combine on this matter further raises concerns of a 'stitch up'. Scott Neylon might write a letter supporting it though.
Peter Hay, Islington
Childish show, at best
I had the misfortune of watching Ross Kerridge's inaugural Newcastle council meeting. I thought it was school holidays, but obviously not. At least kindergarten is back with: "That's my seat", "No, I was here first". And these are the mindsets that the lord mayor has to deal with. Best of luck, Cr Kerridge
Peter Briggs, Warners Bay
Accept the will of the people
Joanie Wade is spot on ("Distinct delay in powering up IOD", Letters, 11/10). The previous council are sore losers and are doing everything they can to stand in the way of the new lord mayor and his team. We did vote for change and received it. So, I say to the spoiled brats, please accept the fact, or pack up your bat and ball and go home.
Col Parkins, Wallsend
Hostages not a priority
I beg to differ with your conclusion Greg Adamson ("Single move to peace", Letters, 10/10), that there will be peace if all the hostages are released. Israelis are begging their government to do more, but Netanyahu is on a murderous rampage in order to retain power and stop investigations into his actions. The hostages have never been his main concern.
