Case Study 12 Interactive Session: Technology (LIFE ON THE GRID : iPhone Become iTrack)

Case Study 12

Interactive Session: Technology (LIFE ON THE GRID : iPhone Become   iTrack)

Question 1

Why do cell phone manufacturers (Apple, Google, and BlackBerry) want to track where their customers go?

Answer

The cell phone manufacturers (Apple, Google, and BlackBerry) want to track where their customers go because they collect this data for advertising and marketing purposes. And the mobile technologies based on the Smartphone make it possible to locate people through out of the day, to report this information to cooperate data sell it to advertisers and others.A number of firms have adopted business models based on the ability of smart phones to report on the whereabouts. Most of the popular apps report the locations.

Question 2

Do you think cell phone customers should be able to turn tracking off ? Should customers be informed when they are being tracked? Why or why not?

Answer

Yes I think that there should be a feature to turn such features off because the. Customers should be informed even though most apps do display that GPS and network access is a requirement for the application. Because the cell phone by using the phone companies technology to triangulate positions relative to cell phone towers. This location capability has been increased significantly in recent years as more phones come equipped with GPS chips to more precisely position the user. Access to location has been very limited beyond emergency responders, due to legal and privacy concerns.

Question 3

Do you think cell phone tracking is a violation of a person’s privacy?

Answer

Many privacy groups are calling for legislation to gain user consent as a condition of cell phone tracking. Go to the Internet to find out one of the privacy groups and summarize its stand and viewpoint. We must support this group in its call for federal regulation cell phone tracking. Because the Cell phone manufacturers (Apple, Google and Blackberry) tracking is indeed an invasion of privacy. A privacy group is Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC).The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) was founded in 1993 and focuses public attention to emerging civil liberties and to protect privacy, the first amendment, and constitutional values. EPIC does not lobby for, consult, or advice companies, nor do we endorse specific products or services. This list merely serves as a sampling of available privacy-enhancing tools. I do support its calls for federal regulation because it does need to be regulated, as this type of tracking is a breach of privacy. Google and Apples position of cell phone tracking is to help improve apps and service. Limitations of cell phone tracking can be specified in the settings from accurate to city locations.