GPS Tracking Privacy Issues

This article comes from the take of the employee and how they are affected with vehicle tracking.  GPS vehicle tracking does have it's benefits and merits, but where do benefits end and privacy begin?  This is a tricky question that wil no doubt be debated hotly over the next few decades as legislations struggles to keep up with technology.  This is not an issue that is confined to one area of the world, but to many parts of the world.

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Vehicle Tracking is, by it’s very nature, often seen by drivers as a technology which is highly intrusive, an infringement upon their right to privacy and another stick used to beat the back of the employee.

There is no doubt that in some organisations this is probably a true reflection of both the concerns of the workers and how Vehicle Tracking is used by organisations with poor management.

However, this need not be the case. A workforce that feels exploited and put upon is less likely to want to positively contribute to the success of the enterprise.

Introducing Vehicle Tracking should be both seen and used as a positive move to increase productivity, reduce costs, improve customer service, ensure driver safety and ultimately be used to the benefit of employer, employee and customer.

Employers who implement vehicle tracking systems on vehicles driven by employees should be aware that the use of information and data gathered by these systems are regulated by numerous pieces of legislation.


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The use of data and the actions taken by an employer or public body as a result of information gathered by technology such as Vehicle Tracking are governed under Data Protection and Employment Rights legislation. However, this protection is not explicit and well defined in relation to Vehicle Tracking itself and as such legal guidance should always be sought to ensure compliance with the law.

To quote from the Freight Best Practice Guide

As data is collected relating to the performance and even personal identity of drivers, issues surrounding privacy arise. The benefits of risk management and cost efficiency will have to be balanced against the civil liberties of employees. Management should be aware of the;

Data Protection Act (1998)
Article 8 of the Human Rights Act (1998) relating to the privacy rights of the individual.

UK Telematics Online (http://www.uktelematicsonline.co.uk) is a website containing independent information and advice for buyers and users of Vehicle Tracking and Vehicle Telematics