Google 'Latitude' Location Tracking Coming to iPhone

[JNB]

Has anybody actually read how it works, or is everyone just mattscotting their way to a conclusion?

First, it's a two-way invite-and-accept. It's not "broadcasting" to anybody & everybody.
Second, you set a General level of location preciseness for everybody.
Third, for each "friend" invited, you set the specific location preciseness.

And as far as the Big Brother aspect, quite honestly, who the hell cares who you are and where you're at? You're really not all that important to the government.

 

[JrdBeau]

And as far as the Big Brother aspect, quite honestly, who the hell cares who you are and where you're at? You're really not all that important to the government.

In other news... "as a gesture of kindness, Apple offers free iPhones to everyone on the FBI's Most Wanted list."

 

[lftrghtparadigm]

This is precisely why Lucius Fox quit Google.

Along with everyone else of character or integrity.

 

[muncyweb]

And as far as the Big Brother aspect, quite honestly, who the hell cares who you are and where you're at? You're really not all that important to the government.

Though I hope you're right, that really depends on what you're doing. If the government has the time to put a book author on a terrorist list and then search their things at the airport, it would seem that they can certainly do so to whomever they choose, and that logic would indicate that that shows interest. Then again, like others have said, if you fear the technology, just don't participate. If when the RFID chip comes out and it makes you feel safer to have a government tracking device embedded in your skin then by all means take part. I'm sure their intentions are good right? Why not give them the benefit of the doubt? lol.. I'm glad to see that most people here are on their guard.

CarolinaLiberty.com

 

[JNB]

It's naivete', and I'm quite aware of the world (actually having been out in most of it for quite some time now). I don't rely on MR for my worldview, nor do I depend on any media outlet one cares to peruse that reinforces their beliefs. My understanding comes from actually being involved in it.

Not only am I not naive, I also don't have an over-inflated sense of how I, as an individual, am important or any particular interest to a government, a corporation, or any of the other "evils" of the world.

 

[muncyweb]

It's naivete', and I'm quite aware of the world (actually having been out in most of it for quite some time now). I don't rely on MR for my worldview, nor do I depend on any media outlet one cares to peruse that reinforces their beliefs. My understanding comes from actually being involved in it.

Not only am I not naive, I also don't have an over-inflated sense of how I, as an individual, am important or any particular interest to a government, a corporation, or any of the other "evils" of the world.

No, if you're going along with all of their unlawfulness, you're absolutely right, you're not too important to them. "...crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly on you and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen…go from us in peace, we ask not your counsel or your arms." However, try to rock the boat and stand up for something right and they'll be all over you. Become well known to them by teaching large groups of people about all the wrong they are doing, and they will not only come after you, but the people who are sponsoring you. I know people who have experienced this. Not important to them? Sure, if "evils" have no resistance, they why SHOULD they care?

-CarolinaLiberty.com

 

[mogzieee]

Exactly. So let's sum it up:

1) Google knows what sites you visit
2) Google knows who emails you and who you email
3) Google knows who your friends and family are
4) Google knows WHERE you and your friends are
5) Google knows ALL!

Welcome to planet Google!

-Kevin

Wooooooooaaah. You've scared me mate!

I notice the map in the video is of downtown Cairo, where GPS on the iPhone is officially banned by the Egyptian gov.

Cheeky.

Lol.

 

[JNB]

<snip>

Sorry, but I'm as free as I care or have ever needed to be, and have never experienced any limitations on any of my rights. Matter of fact, I've actually helped defend them so you can say what you want (you're welcome, btw).

Beyond that, though, that's as far as we need go in the Public forums. The "Rage Against the Machine" and other assorted Kool-Aid threads are to be found in PRSI.

 

[kdarling]

The OP was exactly correct in all his comments about it not being a big deal. Especially about you not being that important.

In any case, please note that they can track your phone NOW. Doesn't take any software on your side. This is an app to aid the consumer. The government doesn't need its help.

It's far more interesting that ATT allowed this app. After all, most carriers expected to make a lot of money from location based services. They thought they'd be selling your location for use in applications like this one. Instead, you get the info for free from the other phone.

 

[satcomer]

iStalker

I can see in my mind's eye the scenario of a really bad breakup when a girlfriend & boyfriend have been sharing locations. Then after a bad breakup the boyfriend tracks her down and kills her. Then Google is sued by her family and a huge court battle will ensue.

The first time I heard of this stalking was the first thing that came to my mind. This service should never be used by girls. The abuse of this service is properly already being planned by more than one person. How long until this gets hacked?

 

[iCantwait]

its funny because GPS is illegal in egypt, hahaha

 

[Doctor Q]

My plan is to start a new business, make it rich, then retire early. My staff will make sure that your phone appears to be where you are supposed to be, even if you are elsewhere! We'll develop the technology to spoof your iPhone's GPS reports so the people you give tracking permission to will see what you want them to see. You tell us the schedule of your "proper self" and we'll add enough random variation (like traffic delays) to make it look real. Your boss will think you are visiting clients when you are really on the beach. Or, if you are like me, your wife will think you are at work when you are actually at the jewelry store picking out her birthday present!

 

[P-Worm]

As has been said by a few others, the thing that concerns me is not the technology, but being coerced into using it. We've all seen it before - our friends get into something and constantly demand we sign up so we can be closer friends. I still refuse to sign up for a facebook account and I can't tell you the amount of grief I have received for not having a profile. My friends are constantly pestering me about it even though I have stated my reasons for avoidance.

If this becomes completely mainstream, it will be hard to stay away. I can easily envision employers requiring their employess to sign up for the service.

P-Worm

 

[muncyweb]

I can see in my mind's eye the scenario of a really bad breakup when a girlfriend & boyfriend have been sharing locations. Then after a bad breakup the boyfriend tracks her down and kills her. Then Google is sued by her family and a huge court battle will ensue.

The first time I heard of this stalking was the first thing that came to my mind. This service should never be used by girls. The abuse of this service is properly already being planned by more than one person. How long until this gets hacked?

Be careful of speaking too much truth here, satcomer, you could be reprimanded and criticized harshly for it...lol.

 

[mariad]

Yes...although tracking applications already exist (like MobiBiz) which are specifically for the workplace. In that case, there are legally-binding terms and conditions that employers have to sign and employees have to agree to, to prevent misuse and enshrine the right to decline.

There need to be very solid t&cs (on top of the basic opt-in/opt-out) in order for these services to be at all helpful at work.

 

[WATCHDOG]

This is a new feature?

+++

Big Brother can easily - and has - triangulated cellphone calls.

Big Brother records conversations too..

Think of 9/11. The recorded cellphone calls from airplanes.. from buildings..

+++

 

[wonderbread57]

Think of the children!

 

[kdarling]

As has been said by a few others, the thing that concerns me is not the technology, but being coerced into using it.

Stand your ground. Mature people don't let friends tell them what to do.

If this becomes completely mainstream, it will be hard to stay away. I can easily envision employers requiring their employess to sign up for the service.

As someone else commented, it already is mainstream (at least GPS tracking of vehicles). Although it's mostly meant to help with dispatching crews, it has also been used to dismiss workers who spent all day at the donut shop.

Big Brother can easily - and has - triangulated cellphone calls. Big Brother records conversations too.. Think of 9/11. The recorded cellphone calls from airplanes.. from buildings..

Those were all normal recordings... 911, answer machines, ATC tapes. Nothing special.

I'll tell you what was special though. Within an hour of the towers going down, Verizon (who has a central office next door) arranged for portable towers and DF equipment to be placed at ground zero. The idea was to help find survivors with cell phones buried under the rubble. I'm sure they asked other carriers to do the same. Alas, not a single call came.

 

[twoodcc]

interesting. i don't think i'll use this very much, but am still glad to see it coming to the iphone (can't leave out the iphone)

 

[slapguts]

Any news on this?

I'm going on tour with my band, and thought it might be neat for the GF to know where I am.

 

[Airforcekid]

I cant wait if you lose your phone you can find it and I dont care if people know where I am!

 

[Airforcekid]

E

But maybe somebody will create an app that lets you specify where you want others to think you are, to spoof this service.

That would be awesome be in paris one min then la the next!