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Wireless

by Carlo Longino

Mon, Sep 12th 2005 10:48am





Ethical Concerns Holding Back Location-Based Services

from the it's-only-unethical-if-we-can't-charge-for-it dept

Forgive us for thinking it was technological problems or carriers' desire to control the food chain that was holding back location-based services. Apparently, the real reason is "ethical concerns", according to a British academic. It's odd, because carriers don't seem to have any problem using LBS to play on parental fears to make some money, and they've got no qualms disclosing employees' locations to their bosses. So, instead of throwing things open to developers and letting them come up with some compelling and useful location-based applications, the operators' demands to control everything results in overpriced, underwhelming services.

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  1.  
    identicon
    Pete Austin, Sep 12th, 2005 @ 11:12am

    They are worried about Stalkers and Abusers

    "People are paranoid that computers that know where you are can turn against you," Rabinowitz said. Social obstacles to location-aware computers mainly surround privacy issues where people are concerned their movements will be tracked by Big Brother. It also is possible that location services could be used by stalkers and child abductors - PC World. Also they could help abusive parents.

     

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  2.  
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    Mike (profile), Sep 12th, 2005 @ 12:15pm

    Re: They are worried about Stalkers and Abusers

    Yeah, I think Carlo knows what they're referring to, but finds it funny that they actually think it's holding back LBS, when that seems to be the MAIN REASON others are pitching LBS.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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