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Electronic Privacy knowledge
Open letter to Canon USA:
We like your digital cameras, but
don't design them to betray your customers' trust and privacy.
Canon USA Inc.
Actually, at this time; I'm not sure if returning or exchanging the
product (Canon EOS 7D Mark II) would suit my needs.
I am a long time B&H Photo customer and long time Canon customer and
avid user of Canon products.
(In the past 14 years In addition to this
EOS 7D Mark II, I have
purchased an EOS 20D, three older model EOS 7D cameras, several lenses
and accessories for all, and several small point & shoot Canon Camers.
I have been confronted with this same issue of privacy while purchasing
new cameras before (I believe I have contacted B&H on this same issue of
privacy a few years ago when I was shopping for a small "point & shoot"
waterproof camera.)
Here is the heart of the issue:
---------------------------------------------------
1. I don't want my camera (or any other device I carry, other than a
cell phone) to have any BUILT-IN wireless capabilities / external data
gathering capabilities that could compromise my privacy and "piece of
mind". Especially Bluetooth and
WiFi, whereby data and photos can be
somehow transmitted from the camera to some other device.
2. The idea that the wireless capability of this device / camera can be
disabled by a software or firmware setting in the controls of the
camera: is not acceptable or meaningful, because it is not readily
apparent to the user of the device, that the undesired function
(wireless capability) is in fact disabled, it is easy to forget to
change the setting, and time consuming to check it every time the device
is being used.
3. Under certain circumstances (by malfunction or intentional design &
programming), any user setting in firmware / software can be modified
without the user knowing it.
4. The only true protection against undesired operation of a specific
function or "module" in a complex, programmable, digital device such as
this camera; is either a "hard wired switch" that physically disconnects
the power connection and data connection to the "module" in question, or
(ideally) PHYSICAL REMOVAL and full detachment of the electronic
component or "module" that creates or permits the undesired operation.
-------------------------------------------------------
All the newer professional cameras are coming equipped with built-in
GPS, it is only a matter of time before every professional or
"pro-sumer" camera sold will have GPS and / or other, even more privacy
compromising wireless communications abilities built in to it, like
Bluetooth and WiFi. (surely... much to the delight of the NSA & the U.S.
intelligence Community at large.)
Fortunately, this EOS 7D Mark II, does not have the WiFi built in (yet
as of August 2018), and instead has a separate SD card Wi-Fi adapter
which needs to be physically installed in the camera to enable the WiFi
capability. (This is the smart and secure way that ALL wireless
capabilities should be introduced and administered in modern electronic
devices; to ensure true user privacy and informed consent to potential
monitoring by malicious actors, including oppressive, corrupt
organizations and especially governments.)
I have some basic electronics knowledge, and I am handy with tools.
I think the best course of action here for me; would be to physically
remove the GPS and Digital compass components from the camera.
I am currently compiling information to help me perform this operation:
Parts Catalog & Diagram for the EOS 7D MKII (REF. NO. C12-6461)
photo from Canon website that shows general location of GPS Unit and
digital Compass (attached)
YouTube video: Canon 7D disassembly:
This is how you can help me:
It would be nice if Canon USA Inc. could provide me with additional
information and technical support to assist me in the removal of these
privacy compromising components contained in their camera.
As I know; it would be too much to ask and expect: to have Canon and
other electronics manufacturers design and manufacture their products
with true user privacy and information security in mind.
I don't expect that most of the USA division of Canon will get this, but
I'm sure that the Japanese division of Canon (due to the traditional
Shinto influence of Japanese culture) will readily understand the
following:
「私のカメラは私の友人やパートナーのようなもので、私の個人的な旅行や仕事の譲渡で私と一緒に持ち歩いています。個人的な収集のために収集したい画像を忠実に慎重に文書化して保管することを信じています。自分のカメラを信用し、私の身の回りにある間は信用しています。私の信頼を裏切らず、私の知らないうちに私の個人的な画像や経験を他人に分かち合う仲間であること。ワイヤレス機能を備えた、私のもはや私の静かで忠実な仲間とパートナーではなく、今はぞっとした奇妙なデバイスコミュニティの一員であり、遠く離れた強力なマスターに奉仕することさえあるかもしれないし、私たちが独占的なパートナーシップの中で守るために信じていたイメージ」
だからキヤノン、あなたが私のカメラを売り続けたいなら、これらのカメラを私だけに仕えさせ、NSAの奴隷ではなく、私と世界中の人を偵察したいと思っている人ではなく、私の信頼できる仲間になれます。
"My camera is like a friend and partner to me, I carry it with me on my
extensive personal travels and my work assignments, I trust it to
faithfully and carefully document and store the images that I wish to
collect for my personal collection, and also for my employer. I trust my
camera, while it is in my physical possession; to be a faithful, silent
companion that will not betray my trust and share my private collection
of images and experiences to others without my knowledge or consent. A
camera with wireless capabilities, is no longer my silent and faithful
companion and partner; it is now a member of a boisterous, gossiping
community of devices, and may even be called to serve a distant,
powerful master, or it may find another companion to share the images
that I trusted it to keep within our exclusive partnership."
So Canon, if you want to continue selling me cameras; make those cameras
serve me alone, and be my trusted companion, not the slave of the NSA or
whoever else who wishes to spy on me and the rest of the world.
Thank You,
A long time, avid photographer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/15/2018
Dear Canon Customer,
Thank you for contacting Canon product support. I understand
that you d not wish for any photo device you carry to feature
built-in wireless capabilities. My name is Tim and I'll be glad
to assist you with this today.
We'd like to thank you for your feedback regarding the built-in
wireless features of Canon EOS DSLR cameras. We will pass your
feedback onto our development team so they are aware of what
users are asking for in the field. At this time however, we're;
unable to offer you a specific product to suit your needs. I am
truly sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but we sincerely
apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause you.
Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.
Thank you for choosing Canon.
Sincerely,
Tim
Technical Support Representative
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tim,
I appreciate the quick response.
I understand that currently; all of Canon's professional digital
SLR camera offerings contain some sort of wireless capability,
and that I am stuck with this EOS 7D Mark II camera for now.
If possible I would like to remove this GPS unit and also the
digital compass from the EOS 7D Mark II camera I most recently
purchased.
In order to do this with confidence, I need detailed information
and instructions from Canon so that I can either do this myself
without damaging the camera, or bring it to a trusted camera
repair facility near me, that can do this for me while I am
physically present to observe and document every step of the
procedure.
Also, I would like more detailed information about the WiFi
capability of the EOS 7D Mark II . The camera came with a
removable SD card device that provides WiFi capability when
inserted into the camera.
Questions:
1. Does the WiFi adapter kit that fits into the SD card reader
of the EOS 7D Mark II contain all of the physical electronic
components such as antennas and radio transceivers that enable
WiFi capability?
2. Or does the EOS 7D Mark II camera body contain the essential
radio components for the operation of WiFi, and this SD card
appliance simply enables them with firmware / software that it
contains?
Here is additional customer feedback for the Canon
development team:
Canon will continue to be my unquestioned choice of Professional
digital cameras in the future, but only if the following design
specifications are observed so that the camera can be "Certified
to respect the privacy of the user"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Design Specifications of Digital Cameras that can be
Certified to Respect User Privacy
Version 1, Authored: August 18, 2018
1. No built in / "on board", non-removable wireless data
communications capability. This includes the ability to transmit
and receive any firmware / software programming data, camera
settings, picture and EXIF / meta data, GPS data, camera and
lens model & serial numbers etc., to and from the camera with
any and all external devices, from any distance.
(a) Ultrasonic and Infrared communication protocols that are
limited to operation of the lens auto-focus and flash module
operation are exempt from this prohibition so long as they are
limited in range to what is needed for reliable operation, and
do not transmit or receive any data to / from the camera, that
is not limited, and directly related to auto-focus and flash
operation. Additionally, these Ultrasonic and Infrared protocols
should be disabled from transmitting and / or receiving when the
auto-focus or flash features are not being used.
2. No built in / "on board" non-removable memory storage that is
capable of recording images, sound, GPS / compass data, or any
other external environmental data or conditions. The only
acceptable use of built in / "on board" memory storage is camera
settings and user defined preference / operation settings, and
this memory will not exceed 1 megabyte in size. All other
recorded data related to camera usage including, but not limited
to: still images, video, sound,
EXIF data, GPS
logging data etc. will be written and stored only in the
removable memory card.
2. Specifications for the offering of Wireless services /
protocols in digital cameras:
(a) All wireless communications services to be offered, and
their physical electronic components including antennas and
radio transceiver circuitry essential to their operation; shall
be built into a separate, detachable "Wireless Services Module"
(WSM). All other functions of the camera not related to, or
dependent upon wireless protocols, will function properly with
the WSM disconnected from the camera.
(b) The WSM shall be external to the camera housing, so that
it's presence and attachment to the camera is immediately and
unmistakably, visually evident to the camera user. The WSM may
offer a single wireless protocol, or several.
(c) Each and every wireless protocol offered by a WSM, if it
contains more than one; will have a separate, clearly visible,
physical "hard" / mechanical switch labeled with the name of the
wireless protocol that it controls. The function of this switch
will be to physically disconnect power to the circuit board /
sub-module that is responsible for producing it's specific
labeled wireless protocol, in order to render it completely and
unequivocally inoperative. The firmware / software of the camera
and/or the WSM will have NO ability to override this switch and
re-enable the operation of the sub-module without this switch
being physically / mechanically moved by the user.
(d) If the WSM offers more than one wireless protocol
functionality, the WSM shall have each and every wireless
service capability / wireless protocol that it provides;
electronically isolated on separate circuit boards / sub-modules
that are clearly labeled with name of the wireless protocol
capability that it enables.
(e) Each wireless protocol circuit board / sub-module within the
WSM shall be independently removable from the WSM by a user with
basic mechanical skills, using commonly available tools. Removal
of one or more individual wireless protocol sub-modules, will
not affect the proper operation of the remaining sub-modules.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/16/2018
Dear Canon Customer,
Thank you for your continued correspondence.
Due to liability concerns, we're not able to provide
documentation on how to remove the internal GPS unit or digital
compass in the EOS 7D Mark II. Our Canon Factory Service Centers
will repair Canon products back to factory specifications
however; it is very unlikely that they will modify a product
from its original operation.
The Wi-Fi Adapter W-E1 contains only the wireless communication
hardware necessary for image transfer to mobile devices and
computers. Without the adapter inserted, the camera will not be
able to transmit or receive data via Wi-Fi. Additional details
about the Wi-Fi Adapter W-E1 can be found
HERE. (or
PDF
version)
We'll forward your additional feedback to our engineers for
review.
Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.
Thank you for contacting Canon.
Sincerely,
Rodney
Technical Support Representative
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rodney,
I understand about the liability concerns in modifying the
camera's operation.
Maybe some other, more adventurous Canon user will develop and
document a strategy and procedure for removing the GPS and
compass for this camera, and upload a video of it to Youtube or
some other video sharing platform. (or maybe I will in a few
years, when this particular camera gets old and worn out and is
no longer reliable enough for field use.)
For now, I will need to rely on the internal settings of the
camera to disable GPS, and to be vigilant in checking EXIM data
with an EXIM
editing tool before sharing photos or offloading those
photos from the memory card and onto an internet connected
computer or mobile device.
I appreciate the additional information about the WiFi adapter,
I feel more confident about the privacy afforded by this camera
and it's security measures against unintended wireless
communication of my data.
My only other request at this time for the engineers is
regarding memory cards:
I like the new feature in the EOS 7D Mark II, that it allows for
the use of both Compact Flash (CF) cards and the smaller SD
cards. I prefer to use the larger, more durable CF cards because
they are less likely to get lost or broken and they can more
easily be handled in the field while wearing gloves.
Please do not discontinue support for CF cards in your future
professional SLR cameras.
Thank You,
A long time, avid photographer
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