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Google phone tracker puts privacy in danger, say MPs
Mark Prigg09.03.09
The privacy of tens of thousands of mobile phone users is at risk because of Google's new tracking system, MPs warned today.
In an Early Day Motion tabled in the Commons, MPs also warn of security lapses in the system, which offers live tracking of mobiles via a website. They say it "could substantially endanger user privacy" and called on Google to overhaul the service.
The Latitude system uses a combination of satnav chips found in many modern phones and mobile phone masts to pinpoint a user's location. This is then shared with people specified by the user.
Once the service is activated, the location of a person's phone appears as a blue dot on a map on the screen of whoever is allowed to monitor them.
The Latitude feature is being promoted by Google as a "fun" way to "keep tabs on someone special".
More than a million users around the world have already signed up to the service, Google claims.
However, concerns have been raised about "big brother" monitoring using electronic gadgets.
MPs have written to Google demanding extra security safeguards on the service.
They also say explanations of the service and its implications are too complex for the average user.
The motion has been tabled by Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, and Chris Huhne, Lib-Dem shadow secretary of state for home affairs.
Mr Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, said: "In Britain, we have a tradition of fighting for our freedoms.With this new system we face a more insidious threat to our liberties - 24-hour surveillance and the Big Brother state are now realities.
"I urge MPs to support this motion and encourage the Government to take action to ensure that Latitude does not represent a threat to our privacy. Our freedom to go about our daily business without being constantly monitored could be at stake."
Mr Brake is also planning to meet representatives from the Federation of Small Businesses to discuss the use of the system by businesses to trace employees. Google Latitude offers employers a lower-cost option to track their staff.
Google today insisted there was no threat to privacy. It said it was up to users to decide whether to make their location visible to other people and to determine who could monitor their whereabouts. The service was designed to help people keep in touch, a spokesman added.
However, human rights watchdog Privacy International analysed the service and claimed it was open to abuse.
Its report claimed employers could supply staff with phones already set up to use the service without their knowledge, or that users could simply sign up their partner's or child's mobile phone without telling them.
Reader views (11)
This has been around for several years, it's not new. I remember seeing a website that allowed you to text someone and as soon as they opened the text, it allowed you to track them from a website. That was back in 2004/2005.
- Mcw, London
Interesting opinion: Matt of Devon.
Kids know more about phone tracking than Mum and Dad and the Government, ever will.
Most have two or more phones now; and switch off the ones that they know are tracked etc.
I point out as well; that your kids could be high on pot; and in bed with a friend; and you still would not know what they were actually doing.
MP’s know all this; and very few, have only one mobile phone.
Beware the carrier of two or more phones………..LOL.
- Mickyinlondon, london
I don't know what the MP's are complaining about; they and the police have been doing it for years?
Maybe they don't like us; tracking them?
- Mickyinlondon, london
Well at least Google gives you the option NOT to be tracked - which is, I think, more than British MPs are offering to their own electorate?
If I had a teenager with a Mobile I'm sure I - and they - would be glad to know the phone was traceable.
- Roz, Chamonix, France
Duplicate post
- Min-woo Kim, South Korea
[Title: Google Ocean + Google Latitude = Real-time Fishing LBS Contents]
Have you heard about Real-time Fishing LBS Contents? We have proposed this Service Model to Google over 3 years ago. Real-time Fishing LBS Contents is Location Based Service for IPTV, WiMAX, Mobile. This Service Model was created in 2002 by I&IWorld. I&IWorld's located in South Korea. As you know, there're many people enjoy fishing in the world(about 5 hundred million). I&IWorld's Real-time Fishing LBS Contents is like these.
*Main Functions*
1.The underwater topography and 3D views with fishing spots
2.Real-time fishing points tracing by GPS and angling direction guide
3.Service the real-time fishing condition about fishing place(weather, water temp, depth etc)
4.Angler Social network(such as Second Life)
Visit http://www.koreacontent.org/co/i/iiworld/index.html. If you need more information, please send your email address.
- Min-woo Kim, South Korea
A little-known fact is that Google obtained seed financing in its early days from the CIA. This is a verifiable historical fact.
- Neil M., london uk,
Laughable, coming from MP’s.
Considering that this government are hell-bent on collecting as much data as they can about us?
Google can’t do it, but we can?
- P. C., rainham. essex.
I'm sorry but will the witch hunt ever stop, surely we have more pressing issues to deal with at this moment in time.(The economy for instance.) Google quite clearly offers the facility to disable the function and sms validation is required in order to setup the service. The sms validation message has to be sent to the tracked phone. I also believe that Google will be sending regular sms messages to the phone while the service is in use.
Why don’t we look at the positive side of the service? Many websites have been charging for this service for years, allowing parent to track their children’s mobile phones. This allows parents to monitor what their children are up to and possibly could result in some serious problems being avoided.
Last week the government attacked Google for being a monopoly; it seems to me that there might be a hidden agenda in the government’s sudden Google interest.
Security is important and I’m sure there could be a compromise and Google are renowned for listening to the needs of its users. Let’s see what they come up with.
- Matt - Seo Devon, Devon
Google must be made exempt them from this type of tracking. Home Secretary will need to get this through parliament soon or else face exposure as to where she lives.
- Ram, Reading, UK
If people are concerned about their privacy, then all they need to do is to select the option in Google maps to switch this off. Every time they exit Google Maps, they are prompted to do this anyway, so it's a real no-brainer...
- Lee Tang-Cooper, London, UK
