Chapter 12: iPhone Become iTrack

Chapter 12: Ethical and Social Issues in Information System

Question 1:    

Why do cell phone manufacturers (Apple, Google, and BlackBerry) want to track where their go?

            The main purpose for the cell phone manufacturers to track down where they go is because the data that they had collect is for advertising and marketing purpose. Mobile technologies based on the smartphone make it there’s a possibility to locate user’s throughout the day, to report thereabouts is information to corporate data base, retain and analyze the information. When the information has been analyzed, the cell phone manufacturers sell the information they acquired to advertisers and others. There’s few number of firm have adopted this kind of business models based on the ability of smartphone to report on your whereabouts, it doesn’t matter whether you choose to so or not. Other than that, law enforcement agencies certainly have an interest in knowing the whereabouts of criminals and suspects, also the course divorce lawyers usually want a obtain the information where the spouse locate over a long period of time. The location data from cell phone users has extraordinary commercial values, this is because the advertising company can send you advertisement, coupon and other related things based on where the users located. The market for location-based services in 2011 is expected to be $2.9 billion, and will rise to $8.3 billion in 2014 according to Gartner. This is why cell phone manufacturers want to track where their go.

Question 2: 
Do you think cell phone customers should be able to turn tracking off? Should customers be informed when they are being tracked? Why or why not?

In my opinion, I think that there should be a feature to turn the tracking system off in order to protect users’ privacy. This system should make it more flexible to its consumers. In this modernized society, most people especially teenagers would like to have their own privacy and would like to find some space to express their emotions. In fact, other than teenager’s, most of the VVIP personnel would not like to be tracked as well. This is because their daily routine and schedule would not like to be exposed to anyone including the cell phone manufacturers as most of these people will have their own private invitation or private ceremony to attend. It will expose any security weakness to the users and it might lead to criminal case for those VVIP.

The notification feature should implement to notify the users when they are being tracked by the devices as well. For instance, if a user is being tracked by someone, he or she will be in danger if he or she is being tracked by a robber or kidnapper without being notified will actually ease these people to commit crime.

Question 3:

Do you think cell phone tracking is a violation of a person’s privacy?

Indeed, cell phone tracking system is an invasion of privacy. It is an inevitable fact that there’s no one would like to be tracked by someone else, regardless who they are. People tend to seek a private space for themselves whenever they are having their personal problems and it is surely that they do not want their secret share with others. The users will have the feeling of unsafe and uncomfortable if such system had been installed into a cell phone. Furthermore, it will violate one’s privacy if his or her whereabouts are being exposed or being known by someone else. Cell phone tracking system will eventually exposed the secret or privacy of those VVIP personnel. They would not like to be followed by others as their secret or privacy may be brought into media. This is actually a harassment and disturbance to their daily life. This case will become worst if it leads to crime. In conclusion, privacy should be the major concern to the implementation of this system; same thing should go to personal safety.