GPS Tracking Privacy Issues

With any advancement in technology, comes the advancement of ways to abuse that technology.  In most cases, people don't tend to misuse the technology, but there will always be an element of those, including government and law enforcent that can abuse the technology.  There is a debate on this issue, and do we have the right to not be tracked?  Do we have the right to keep our privacy?  Where will this debate end up?  In the following article, the author discusses more about the GPS tracking privacy debate.  I do like some of the conclusions the author has come to.

Recently, a debate on a television news channel pitted two lawyers against each other in an effort to lay out the most salient points about privacy as it relates to government tracking of cell phones via GPS Tracking. There are strident voices on both sides of the issue of privacy and both have valid points to make.

Pro-tracking view

It is already being done. GPS Tracking is already happening whether you know it or not. It is being used mainly in law enforcement to help capture suspects in the act of illegal activities. The use of tracking in this way is being challenged in courts with limited effect. Courts are generally supportive of this type of use when the evidence is overwhelmingly against those being tracked.

It is a safety/security issue. The use of GPS Tracking of cell phones has been found to be a good method of locating those who are in trouble. Recent news stories about those who have become lost and used their cell phones to supply location information buoy the positive vibe provided by their safe return.

You are already being tracked in other ways. Another line of reasoning points out that you are already being tracked in daily activities in other ways. From credit card transactions to traffic cameras at major intersections, you are being watched and recorded.

Con-tracking view

Get a warrant. The one thing that still presents a hurdle to free-wheeling tracking of anyone is the requirement to get a warrant to justify tracking activities. The lack of a warrant in instances where GPS Tracking is used is justification to bring legal challenges.

Invasion of privacy. Privacy concerns are at the foremost of those who push back against tracking activities. How is the line between legal and illegal tracking determined? Who decides the difference? So far, that has been left to law enforcement agencies and the court system.

GPS Tracking is viewed as further erosion to individual privacy. Those who fight against this type of activity have their hands full.

Conclusion

Tracking of an individual should not be the default stance of a government. It should be the exception and follow strict guidelines and laws. We have given away a lot of our freedoms by embracing technology, and this is but another example. There are two ways to help prevent the spread of invasion of privacy issues when it comes to government tracking.

Control. One must have the ability to control when they are being tracked. This means that there should be an on/off setting (if there is not already) on cell phones that have this feature. Sure, this means that using GPS Tracking of cell phones might not be available for some 'good' uses, but that is a price that needs to be paid to help insure that individual freedoms are not infringed upon.

Hold accountable. Once it is discovered that illegal tracking is being used, forces for justice and law must be brought to bear to hold those accountable. This is the only way to stop the activity. It is important to send a message that it is not an acceptable practice and those who use technology in this way will be prosecuted.

This debate is not going to go away any time soon because while safety and law enforcement efforts benefit from GPS Tracking, the potential abuses are all too prevalent in our society.

James Neely, Writer and Entrepreneur is a freelance writer who writes about GPS Tracking systems. Visit this link: tracking devices [http://www.wrxprt.com] to find the right system to meet your needs.

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