Written evidence submitted by Susan Marshall

To: Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Committee

Re: Connected tech: smart or sinister?

Does the fact that I cannot even comply with providing evidence not provide some evidence?

I am housebound and severely disabled, part of which is problems with short term memory (which affects learning anything new, badly) and cognitive difficulties.

I do not use social media, I do not have a mobile phone. I cannot make my pc "secure" - I don't know how. I get my partner to use ATMs for me, I cannot and will not, use the web for banking. It is completely disenfranchising not to be tech-savvy.

I don't trust any of it. It is all completely sinister.

I grew up with slide rules and log tables. Every attempt to learn technology was a disaster.

Consideration must be made for those of us in my position who, through no fault of their own, cannot transition to this new age. I know I am not alone, although it certainly feels like it.

I do not want my medical records or banking details made available to those who would abuse or profit from the information, either legally or illegally.

Recently, I have had a passport or driving license demanded to prove I exist. No other form of ID is deemed acceptable.

I have neither and have no need for either (being permanently housebound), and I cannot not accept either being electronic documents online, for fear of abuse.

Please consider this email as my evidence.

Technology and what can be done with it by those with ulterior motives is terrifying. Carl Sagan was correct.

“We've arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. And this combustible mixture of ignorance and power, sooner or later, is going to blow up in our faces."

Yours sincerely,

Susan Marshall