Surveillance is one of the benefits of a technological society. No one complains, after all, when the security camera above the Mall parking lot captures an assault and is later used against the assailant. Yet, we complain when the police wants to keep us safe by tracking our every movement! What’s up with that?

PL/SQL Guy writes “A Wisconsin appeals court ruled Thursday that police can attach GPS trackers to cars to secretly track anybody’s movements without obtaining search warrants. As the law currently stands, the court said police can mount GPS on cars to track people without violating their constitutional rights — even if the drivers aren’t suspects. Officers do not need to get warrants beforehand because GPS tracking does not involve a search or a seizure, wrote Madison Judge Paul Lundsten.”
Source: Slashdot, Warrantless GPS Tracking is Legal in Wisconsin

And, don’t expect this service is limited to just the police. Now, parents–and I’m sure school districts will follow soon since this would be a great way to use technology, in addition to “student information systems”–will want to take advantage of locator services from AT&T and Sprint….

AT&T on Tuesday said it will offer parents a nanny service to limit their children’s mobile phone usage, block unsavory communications, and filter access to inappropriate web sites.

The service is aimed at protecting parents from unexpectedly high bills, as well as safeguarding children from potential predators or bullies, and harmful or unsavory content.
Source: Red Herring

To be honest, this may be helpful to parents who like to say, “As long as you carry a mobile device I’ve purchased, I’ll be able to track you on the Internet and remind you I’m in control!!” And more information:

Today AT&T launched a new service called FamilyMap. For $10 per month, family plan subscribers can locate up to two family members’ phones via a web browser on a PC or mobile phone. The service lets parents set up alerts so they can be notified as to the whereabouts of their childrens’ phones throughout the day. Another feature allows account holders to effectively “ping” each phone, alerting the user that the phone has been located. Paying $15 per month will provide the same service for up to five phones.
Source: Phonescoop, 04/15/2009

How long before these services find their way into schools? Forget those clunky RFID chips!

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Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin’s blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure