Is Google Latitude getting too much latitude?
- TAGS:Google, Google Latitude, nosey, privacy
- IT TOPICS:Security
There is no way that the Google engineers and designers didn’t think about privacy issues as they developed their new Google Latitude system. Apparently, even if they thought it had the potential to be controversial, they decided people would want it anyway. This new upgrade to the Google Maps application makes it possible to pinpoint someone’s exact location via his or her mobile device. Of course, you can’t just do this whenever and to whomever you feel like; the party being “located” must have the application enabled on his/her device first. When I read this article "Privacy group calls Google Latitude a 'danger' to security" by Sharon Gaudin a few days ago, I heard the alarm bells right away.
I’m thinking that for the most part Google Latitude could be put to good use, but the skeptic in me sees the opportunity for sinister use as well. What’s to stop some stalker, jealous mate or nosy employer or from secretly getting hold of a victim’s device and opting in on the tracking feature? I like the suggestion that a regular message should pop up on the device to remind the user that Google Latitude is in use. Even then, privacy concerns could still be an issue. For instance, what if you’re using a company issued mobile phone? Should that permit your employer to enable Google Latitude on it?
Free Insider Guide