I Spy a Choice

The majority of drivers in the US can probably talk about a time when they were lost in an unknown back road because MapQuest decided to include a short cut that didn’t exist. A few years ago, driving to a new place meant either finding it first on a map or printing out directions. Technology has come a far way since then with personal GPS devices. This new technology has cut out a lot of the hassle associated with traveling. But as technology grows, the concern for privacy grows too.

The articles "Personal use of GPS trackers growing fast" on The News Tribune and “Between Google and GPS, privacy takes a step backward” on Fox News both cover many aspects of using personal GPS devices but give more information on the potential risks. I felt that the security issue mentioned is a large part of the GPS debate especially since the seller has no idea of the consumer’s intention for the product (as mentioned in the News Tribune article). Although technology has made life safer, like the GPS that helps parents ensure children's safety, Tracking My Kids, it also comes with many risks. I feel that as technology becomes more popular, especially to the extent of the technology in the Corning video, they are more vulnerable to danger since there are more platforms to share data (private or public).

With a problem so large and growing every day, the way we utilize information that is GPS based should be done carefully. One Smart Planet article quotes an Air Force general saying that the US should start to lessen its dependence on GPS due to the safety risks. But I don’t know if I agree with that solution. I think a more probable solution is for users to be aware of the all the privacy settings and options offered. I also believe that by using any type of technology, whether GPS based or a social media platform, users should be willing to accept that not everything can remain private. 

It seems that when we use our smart-phones or sign up for Facebook, Gmail, Twitter, Youtube, and maybe even iTunes accounts, we are voluntarily putting our information out on the web in return for their service. I feel the real debate is whether or not giving up certain aspects of privacy, which are out of our control, is worth the satisfaction we get from using technology. Now that becomes a personal choice.