Google and Apple Know Where You Are, Maybe

Question 1

Location-based tracking is common to all smartphones, for good reason or bad. The popular location-based service company Foursquare has an apps so you can check in at various location to received discounts, become Mayor and see who else might be there. DealLeak, which aggregates deals from the likes of Groupon and Living Social, needs your location in order to offer local discounts on products and services to you. How many location-based service apps do you have on your smartphone? How often do you use them and why?

There are about 4 location-based service apps in my smartphone such as, google map, GPS apps, foursquare and facebook. I will only use them when I need to search for route to a particular destination and look for attractions in a strange place during my vacation. I seldom use them in most of the time. 

Question 2

Apple and Google defended their processes by stating that their privacy policies very clearly stated what information would be gathered, how that information would be used, and how and with whom that information might be shared. When was the last time you read the privacy policy of any technology tool, such as a Web browser or app? Do you think very many people actually read these? Do the disclaimers in these privacy policies give the offering organization the right to do anything with your information?

The last time that I read the privacy policy of any technology tool was about 3 months ago and I did not go through every single details. Usually people seldom go through every single terms and conditions of that. Some people even straight away tick on the box “I agreed” without reading it. Most of the disclaimers not willing to give the right to offering organizations to do anything with their information. They have forced to agree with that as they insist to use the apps.

Question 3

What about location-based tracking in car systems like GM's OnStar? Those systems know the car's location to give you driving directions and perhaps identify local restaurants or other venues. Are you comfortable with this? When was the last time you bought a paper map? How much do you rely on your car's GPS system?

GPS system can be operated without internet connection. It relies on satellite positioning. Our location is unable to track by any party as it does require internet connection to function. It is quite safe and convenient to use GPS system while driving. I never buy any paper map before as I grew up in the digital age. I rely frequently on car’s GPS system.

Question 4

What about smartphone tracking for parents who want to know where their children are and where they've been? Minors under the age of 18 have very few privacy rights, especially when it comes to parents' knowledge of where they are. Are parents going too far in wanting to know where their children are? What are the benefits of such systems for parents? For the children? What does the term "helicopter parent" refer to?

Smartphone tracking system for parent is useful to track their children location. Most of the teens under the age of 18 are rebellious. This system help parents monitor their children closely. Appropriate freedom is given to teen to have their social life and do what they supposed to do. Parents have the right to know where their children are. This is also a mean of protection for children as the system is used by parents. Parents are able to ensure safety of their children. “Helicopter parents” refer to parents that pay extremely attention to their children.