June 9, 2001

12:34 PM

"Ultimately, the system should be offering data that discloses a cell phone user's geographic location, mood and availability."Thought this might be something to think about and speculate on. Fascinating/Creepy, as so much is these days. Reminds me of Erik Davis's piece in the (possibly) late lamented Feed on the erosion of privacy.
posted by aflakete (3 comments total)

As long as the user has control over the information which is given out, I don't see too much of a privacy problem here. Geographical location is already available to intelligence agencies and the like, so there doesn't appear to be a huge additional risk in this, provided the phone companies are sensible. Which I think they will be, since users will require it of them before subscribing.
posted by Nick Jordan at 2:15 PM on June 9, 2001

I used to get as freaked out by these things as even the most caffeinated Slashdot reader, but I've come to realize that once the corporate world over steps a certain level of invasive comfort, all they've done is open up the market for after market devices and hacks to deal with them.
posted by dong_resin at 3:13 PM on June 9, 2001

the Adware seems cool. But could this program have a ...well valve or by-pass protocol. A back door, open window, dog entry door, loose screen, a Quikset lock, hollow plastic rock, an open garage...sorry, can these programs be by-passed or is that telling.
posted by clavdivs at 5:54 PM on June 9, 2001