Google Grants "Latitude" to Track Friends, Family

I have a "love-hate" relationship with Google. When they're providing me free services that I really enjoy [and not invading my privacy] then I love it. Whenever they allow for invasion of privacy, I hate it. The following is somewhere in the middle, but serves as an ominous reminder that Google has access to the data.

Google has just released free software that enables ordinary people to track each other using their web-connected cell phones. The new software is called "Latitude." It makes it a breeze to know the location of your friend or family member (by way of encapsulating an accessing of GPS data).

Technically speaking, it uses cell tower triangulation, which means it seeks the three cell towers closest to the person in focus (scary, no?) and combines the data to show where that someone is. (Again, scary, no?) It is available on phones with Internet capabilities, although it does not work on iPhones (yet, but they say that is coming soon). This is being marketed as a tool to help parents keep tabs on their children, but it can be used to find anyone willing to be found.

Check out:
Latitude video on CBS website
Google Latitude on CNET

And Don't Forget Google's Fleet of Camera Cars



In a related tidbit, you may not know that Google also has a lot of "camera cars" all over the place, taking pictures everywhere. These vehicles have special cameras mounted on top, and they are piloted by contracted drivers. (By the way, they don't all look the same. They're being made from many different models of car. Below is just one example of a model that is being used.)



Google's official policy is that their drivers are not to go on private property, but some of their drivers have said that does not match what they were told. I read one report in which the driver said he was told simply to go out and take pictures of stuff. Evidence abounds on the 'net of many instances in which a Google camera car went onto private property, having driven straight past posted signs to keep out, and the cars have taken photos of private residences on private driveways. It seems that Google may be of the "private" opinion that privacy is a thing of the past. All the while promising to respect your privacy.

Check out:
Google Camera Car Detail
Google Streetview Camera Car Fleet Set to Invade America
One Google Camera Car Follows Another