GearBits

New Tracking Technologies -- Infringing on Privacy?

CNET News.com has a really intriguing article that outlines and illustrates several of the new services that are springing up related to tracking people and things in real time.

These services rely on a variety of technologies. Some cellular phones and service providers offer this function. Other devices rely on proprietary equipment to broadcast GPS location information. The data can be quite detailed, including speed, location (to within a few yards), and time (to within a minute or two).

The temptation to "spy" on family members and co-workers seems too much for some folks. Despite their best intentions and most sincere concern, I'm not sure any of us would like the idea of being the one tracked. Possibly more disconcerting is the fact that it's always possible that your location information is being used by people who shouldn't.

While I think the potential value for these services is extremely high in the right applications, the potential for abuse (which could lead to very bad things) seems frighteningly high. I guess it all goes back to the question "Is my present location private information?" Interesting, at least in a philosophical sense.