GPS Security And Privacy: A Threat To Our Rights?
The Global Positioning Satellite System, or GPS, has brought many benefits to society. Examples include easier navigation and position-finding in unfamiliar terrain. However, it can result in various invasions of privacy. GPS privacy and security issues have become newsworthy recently. Many people believe that, despite the problems that can arise, the GPS system is still a new positive for society.
GPS vehicle tracking devices perform a wide variety of different monitoring functions that can determine where the vehicle is located, the speed, and how many miles that car has been driven. This information is all variable since the system and device determine the different functions.
In some cases people believe that this is an invasion of their personal privacy. For example, when renting a car, most of us ignore the fine print at the bottom of our contracts saying that we will pay extra for wear and tear on the vehicle if we go over 79 miles per hour. The car rental company will know when and how many times we have done this, and charge our credit card the additional 'wear and tear' fee based on information obtained by their GPS vehicle tracking devices.
Remember that any statements about "guarantees to privacy", do not apply to parents monitoring their underage teenagers. This device lets one know exactly where there children are, if not what they are doing. Since the records are stored in tamper proof memory, there is no way to avoid punishment when rules are broken.
Cell phones now have GPS technology so you no longer need to pay a lot of money for separate GPS capabilities. However, consumers aren't usually able to see location information directly. To get a person's location, the GPS must tap into the wireless network, and this only happens when a 911 call is made form the phone.
GPS security and privacy comes in to play again with cell phones. Not all people are aware that they can be tracked with their cell phones. This can also help the police conduct business, making their jobs much easier. Authorities are able to locate both criminals and victims, as well as stolen vehicles. Every year there are new and improved models of these tracking devices, with new features and updates. These tracking systems can provide safety and help to protect us and our loved ones. The information they provide also has the potential to be abused.
Global Positioning Satellite Systems has added security to our lives but is it an invasion of privacy? GPS is available in many different products today and is increasingly used as a tool by the police department, concerned parents and GPS vehicle tracking devices are often used by rental car agencies. GPS cell phones are also available. The cell phone owner can be located by dialing 911 in an emergency. GPS security and privacy is a hot topic but most agree that the benefit is great. We can feel safer when we are more connected.
Published January 22nd, 2008
