Google Latitude – Self Imposed Surveillance?

Google’s Latitude program is undoubtedly interesting. If you are unfamiliar with it, the premise is fairly simple, it uses the built in GPS in your mobile device to show your location on Google Maps. Then your friends can see where you are at all times. I admit, it’s definitely a cool use of technology, and a lot of people apparently agree; more than one million users signed up in the first week, quite a staggering amount and apparently a very successful launch.

But many are criticizing Google about the possible abuses of Latitude, and this isn’t the first time they’ve come under the microscope. Google has long been criticised for having too much information about the people who use their services, not to mention the heat they got about terrorists using Google Earth to pinpoint targets. Google has always made it poignant that they can make money without being evil, and so far, they really haven’t betrayed the people’s trust. 

Some think Latitude is a step too far though and many are concerned this is just too far a breach of privacy and could be abused too easily. Google makes it very clear that you have complete control of how it updates, who can see your updates, etc and that’s fine. The program is entirely opt-in, so if you never install it, you have no worries. But if you do, even if you set the privacy settings for your friends; you have to wonder how much of that information Google actually saves, regardless of them only saying they save the most recent place. But this isn’t the first location based software, is Google just taking the heat because they are the big man on campus?

Regardless, like their search engine, what’s the real point? Google is an advertising company, they don’t make money directly off of people searching, so what’s the secret behind latitude? Location based advertising coming soon? No one knows yet.

It’s most likely that Google just wants to make fun and cool stuff to get onto your mobile device and into your life so they can more easily wiggle future money-making things in, but things like this certainly make people raise an eyebrow. If you’re fine with someone knowing your location all the time, there’s no problem; but if you’re not, just remember there’s no one forcing you to use this app.

Also, I haven’t formally introduced myself on the blog yet, I’m the newest writer and I am in charge of the social networking as well. For the most part, my blog entries are meant to be informative, but this one is more of an opinion piece. Feel free to send me any feedback, positive or negative; here, twitter, or anywhere else.