This post is based on the article New Algorithm Predicts Your Future Movements Within 65-Foot Accuracy from Sept 8th, 2012 article from Popsci.com.
Given that the technology exists to predict future movements, what impediments are there to governments or other unscrupulous entities from using this technology against their own people or customers?
Since technology is no longer an impediment, the only question is the extent to which people embrace technology. In order for this algorithm to function the target and the target’s acquaintances must use GPS enabled phones. In addition in most cases the user must give consent for their data to be shared vie an application. In most cases this consent is given when the user checks a box agreeing to the terms of service after not reading the multiple pages of convoluted legalese. Even when some phones clearly specify the copious amounts of data being shared the user rarely balks.
This means is that the value proposition of even a mediocre free app is greater than the value of the users privacy. People place little value on privacy – they will scoff at paying $1.99 for an app but think nothing of giving an unknown company access to a variety of personal information. In some cases it is logical for an app to request certain permissions. For example Four Square would not function without access to the users GPS location. However some apps request data for reasons that having nothing to do with the value proposition of the app. Angry Birds Seasons for some reason requests access to location, phone number, and the phone number of any calls made from the phone. This is not to say that Rovio, the maker of Angry Birds has a nefarious purpose.
Most people could live without Angry Birds, although with 50,000,000 users on Android alone, many choose not to, but most people will not sacrifice Google Maps, Facebook mobile, or the Weather Channel App. So if an app can provide any sort of value millions of users will install it regardless their loss of privacy. A government or other entity seeking to monitor its citizens could simply make a series of popular apps to gain access to the treasure trove of information contained on cell phones. If this data was combined with the algorithm created by the British Scientists mentioned in the Popsci article, they could not only monitor, but accurately predict the location of a large number of users. Do you think that the low value placed on privacy could pose a threat to our freedom?
1 Response to Are Free Apps Just a Trojan Horse That Allow Anyone to Predict Your Location?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
It is kinda scary how easily tracked we are all with our space phones. And I know what you mean about some mobile apps that say they need to access location, etc; I don’t understand why my location would matter. I remember when I first got a smartphone and downloaded an app; I refused to agree to sharing that info but then I realized that if I wanted to use any app I had to share because they all seemed to require it.