Yesterday, Silicon Valley’s local CBS affiliate ran a story (video here) about a woman getting her purse snatched. But what’s interesting is the way she got it back: With an assist from Google Latitude.
You see, in her purse, her phone had Google’s location-based social networking service installed, and it was updating the location of her phone in real-time. So even though the thief hopped in a car, when the girl called her sister, she was able to tell police exactly where the criminal was. They arrested the man and got the girl’s purse back.
It’s worth noting that the woman said she had the service running on her phone “as a joke,” so that she and her sisters could “stalk each other.” And that’s interesting because ever since it launched a few months ago, jokes have abounded about it being a tool for stalking. But at the same time, the program had a user base of over a million users just one week after it launched. People are clearly interested in using location data in social services, but it’s usually only negative connotations that are associated with stories about it. Here’s a positive one, but it still has some negative undertones.
After all, if the girl’s sister knew exactly where the phone was, that means Google did too. Of course, Google has a policy not to share that information, but if push came to shove, and the authorities got the right warrant, Google would have to give up such information. Hopefully, you’re not a criminal — and if you are, hopefully you’re smart enough not to use Google Latitude — but it’s still a bit creepy for most people to know that a company has data about where they are at all times. And Google is hardly the only one of these services, everything from Loopt to Whrrl to Brightkite all have varying degrees of information as to your whereabouts if you use them.
Location-based services have yet to take off on a large scale, but with Google now in the field, and major players like Facebook and MySpace undoubtedly looking at entering it, it’s only a matter of time. And when those huge social networks get into the game, there will be some initial backlash, but then people will start using it. (It may even complement other future lost purse stories.) And slowly, users will let the privacy ramifications fade into the background unless some sort of location-based horror story makes headlines.
I, for one, welcome a future with ubiquitous location services in the social layer. Because there are upsides to location as well. This purse snatching incident is a bit extreme, but using location to find friends close by on a service like FourSquare, which I’ve been using for several weeks now, also speaks well to its potential.
I really wish I could embed the CBS clip here, but they apparently don’t believe in embeds. Instead, I’ll just link to it again and tell you to watch for the reporter reenacting the robbery like a foppish dandy, and point out the ridiculousness captured in my screenshot above. It looks like the reporter asked the woman to hold her phone up to her ear while giving the interview to appear as if she’s somehow using Google Latitude at the same time. As if just because Google Latitude is a service for phones, you have to somehow use the voice functionality of a phone to interact with it. Oh, old media…
We have had a lot of discussions about location based services recently, and many react immediately to raise the stalking issue.
This should be the first of many examples of the benefits of the consumer having access to their GPS signal. Car’s had trackers, and for a long time so have we on our phones. Now at least we can benefit from them, as opposed to fearing them.
Do the police not have the right to track your GPS signal? If you are not a criminal, then what would there be to fear when push comes to shove? There is no avoiding these developments, so we should embrace and manage them instead.
Good points — While authorities have been able to track people for a while with cellphones, I think there’s a lot of fear about them being able to know where you were previously with these services. Some claim not to keep that information, but others clearly do. Also the fact that consumer-facing services have all this data brings up the issue of selling it, etc. Lots of discussions to be had indeed — and many more to come.
facebook can see city by ip, if not gps. At least it could broadcast change of city of a user. But nothing yet from facebook nor fb iphone app.
I’ve always had the same issue with privacy stuff:
Unless you’re a business with trade secrets, etc. why worry about what government/people whose job is to protect/serve you know? It only helps them.
If they abuse the power, then deal with it. Innocent until proven guilty in this country, right….right…?
My credit card statements and phone log already can tell you with unnerving accuracy where I was at a given time.
This is really great, and I agree with Suraj in that people really need to look past the privacy issues with these location based services.
I believe there is a huge amount of potential uses of these services once they become a bit more widespread and this really is just the tip of the iceberg.
I think people are gradually embracing the openness and transparency of the way the web is progressing with things like Twitter being completely public, and Facebook making steps to let people be more open (with their Everyone option). I think similar openness is going to be hard for people to have on a location based service, but has many benefits.
Just for the sake of technical exactitude, as far as I know, a GPS by itself is a purely passive sensor. It doesn’t send back its location anywhere.
To have it embedded into a phone allow applications to send back the location to a server, and to use it for sharing, tracking and “big brothering” others…
Authorities don’t need you to carry a GPS to know where you are. They have access to the carriers’ data to locate your mobile phone from the base antenna it is paired with.
I am always amazed to see how google map can work with a relatively nice accuracy, in a phone without a GPS.
“If you are not a criminal, then what would there be to fear when push comes to shove? ”
I HATE HATE HATE this logic. If you are not a criminal, why do you close the bathroom door when you take a dump? What do you have to hide? Are you committing crimes in there?
The bottom line is that we have a right to privacy. And who is watching the watchers?
Remember Obama’s cell records being published? Palin’s email being published? If it’s collected, it WILL be revealed when it’s interesting enough to enough people, even if it’s illegal to do so.
Well said! Some people seem so clueless about privacy issues until it affects them. We’ve seen Facebook photos and Beacon alerts get people into all sorts of trouble. Now let’s add location reporting and see what happens! Suraj, control of my privacy is my decision, not yours!
well said.. a film that quickly springs to mind is Enemy of the state how this type of thing can be monitored… all the things depicted in that movie were real capabilities even at that time.. the right to privacy? this is becoming a joke.. truly..
Nice one..
“Loopt to Whrrl to Brightkite all have varying degrees of information as to your whereabouts if you use them.”
These services aren’t really that creepy. Ignoring these services that actually can locate you via GPS, after living somewhere for a couple weeks ANY search engine you use knows about your location and search habits. If you search for travel directions or look for the name of a restaurant or store in your area, someone can roughly figure out your location. While it should be kept anonymous, I don’t find it very creepy – if anything it should help them serve me more relevant information. I wouldn’t want information about an oasis in the Sahara when I’m looking for a bar in Palo Alto. Location intelligence helps keep things relevant.
Well considering us TC readers find it more exciting than creepy, shows that we may be the early adopters… Maybe the virality of our invites to these services (e.g. Loopt) helps them cross into the mainstream?
I just downloaded Google Maps onto my new BB Storm and quite like seeing a flashing blue dot to where I am, shame I can’t see all my friends or colleagues. Stalking each other could be fun, and extremely helpful when worried about young kids.
This could enhance security far more than it threatens our privacy.
Thanks for this MG.
Yeah, I’m actually surprised by the pro-location comments so far, but yes, early adopters well, adopt early. Thx.
I’ve been a big fan of these services until people started caring where I checked in. Let me elaborate. When no one cares and honestly gives a crap about where you are in the world, it’s cool and you feel like you’re sharing and that you’re cutting edge.
Then when I had the AdamsBlock project and people were stalking my girlfriend and I. Threathing us and following us around town, I totally went cold turkey on location based services.
See, the power of these tools is that you can share your location with everyone but when people start caring, then you’re screwed. I don’t get it and it’s honestly just another weird psychological thing that us humans get attached to.
http://www.indy...13/18554726.php
That’s all I’ve got to say about you. You were desperate to pinpoint other people’s issues, whilst crying about folks finding out all about you. Classic. YOU are the reason people are worried about location-based services.
Why don’t you write a book about your “experiences” so that we can all not care about that, too?
I hear what you’re saying Adam, and I think the most important feature of these types of services is to be able to control who can follow you.
We’re lucky that many robbers are still dumb enough to keep the phone switched on.
While I agree to the point that these applications are developed in good faith and can help users like in the story presented, in most cases its quite the opposite. Too much of information can be lethal. You might consider reading the following article to get a gist of what is being said.
http://webcoher...mation-is-good/
Wish I could find some Brightkite or FourSquare users. Even when I tried to test in NYC it was mostly a ton of people who seemed to try the service once or twice and then were listed as inactive for months.
Unless you’re in with a bar hopping crowd of college kids – the whole Brightkite/Foursquare is lost on me.
Don’t forget that your mobile phone company knows your location as well. We don’t need Google for that
Definitely positive marketing for Google Latitude. But with Google knowing where you are, is it not the ‘Big Brother is watching you’ story? Though this would be useful in the case of purse-pilfers, what about the ones who want to hide from their bosses or office colleagues – probably then Google Latitude is no game for you.
And I do agree with you Siegler, this is a very “old media” type photograph…
From this service one knows that – Britney Spears … is with her ex-husband right now, God knows doing what.
Can such a service tell – what she is doing too?
Yes in fact, with good probability, depending on their previous activity, ongoing activity, and other attributes.
If you have a large house, one can pull up the blue prints to your home, and with limited resolution know in which part of the house you are in.
So if you’re not near a sewer line, chances are you’re not taking a shit.
But wait, you’re frequently near one, maybe you should see a doctor… let’s see what restaurant you visited last… ok… let me check the activity history of the other patrons… ok…… Oh my… you appear to associate with people who were photographed at a pro-gay marriage rally…. ok… I’m sorry but your book, dvds, etc. will be delisted from major online retailer inventory searches.
It was my pleasure to serve.
Have a good day.
Has anyone noticed?
The lady in the picture is wearing a very nice dress – looks good on her.
Thanks for the compliment. It’s actually a trenchcoat. It was really windy yesterday.
this LBS stuff has already become an addiction for some. “locator stalking” is not a crime.
CriminalLocator.com – dont resist
I think it’s only a matter of time before both Facebook and MySpace roll out their location based services. People will be able to throw sheep at you where ever you go…
Hope it comes soon
The person you refer to as a ‘girl’ is actually a woman. You probably need to understand that there is a difference…
Outside of theft alone, I believe that simply locating lost phones from cabs, hotels, etc. is going be helpful for millions of people.
Nice article
This new Siegler dude has been writing up a storm since he arrived. But what’s really impressive is that despite the number of articles he’s put out so far, the quality is still there.
Time will tell whether these last few days are indicative of his longterm intentions or if he’s just trying to give the best possible first impression.
First came LoJack, now PurseJack, … What’s next?
How about BeerJack for parties when your drink gets picked up by someone else?
Guy orders a beer at the bar but realizes he has to pee really bad. So to keep anyone from taking his beer, he writes a note on the beer that says “I spit in the beer.”
Goes to the bathroom, comes back, and he sees there’s another note on his beer now.
“Me too.”
“Google has a policy not to share that information but if push came to shove, and the authorities got the right warrant, Google would have to give up such information. Hopefully, you’re not a criminal…”
Which country are you talking about?
The same country where telecoms turn over information to authorities and then gain immunity for it so they can’t be sued. Google search records have already been used as part of trials, so it’s not hard to think that Latitude could be too.
Are the records limited to activity within the requesting country?
Can China ask for records of user activity occurring in another country?
Can you turn it on remotely? I wouldn’t want to leave Google Latitude running all the time, but if I lost my phone I’d like to be able to turn it on through the web or by email.
“Google has a policy not to share that information but if push came to shove, and the authorities got the right warrant, Google would have to give up such information. Hopefully, you’re not a criminal…”
What’s the big deal? The phone company already knows exactly where you are, and has no problem cooperating with law enforcement “when push comes to shove.” What saddens me is that they refuse to cooperate with *you* when *your* cellphone is stolen.
I’m looking for a light in this dark room but at the time which I am posting this, no one has offered a glimmer of hope.
Wars used to be fought over privacy. The best we can come up with today is “if we’re not doing anything wrong, what’s the big deal?” I’m sorry, but are you serious? Do you realize what you will be teaching your children? Oh wait, lets not have children so we can save the world from the carbon emissions fabrication.
Wake up, lest it be too late
http://bliin.com/trip/3193
No point in you guys discussing the “cons” of LBS. Leave it alone already, GPS LBS is here to stay.
Meanwhile, what goes to stay this wasn’t a Google funded ‘awareness’ program?
One obvious response. Hopefully not redundant. The wireless companies already know where your phone is all the time. Google is at least as focused on consumer interests as Verizon. And no one cares that Verizon/Sprint/ATT etc… have know where you’ve been with your mobile for years….
I’m the girl/woman on this article.
I’m thankful for all the interest on this story; whether it be about Google Latitude or any LBS, pro or con – i think it’s definately one of those discussion topics that people are completely entitled to their own opinion.
Given everything that happened, I just wanted to make sure that people know about this application. You can make your own choice whether or not to use it, but it’s there. I’m not saying that it’ll help everyone who get’s attacked or their purse stolen, but it’s something.
I also want to share that there are other things I learned from this incident:
(1) a renewed belief in humanity and that when it comes to a crisis, your neighbors and total strangers can and will come to your aid when you need them
(2) a renewed trust in the city law enforcement; that they are definitely here to help us and see that justice prevails
(3) never chase after your attacker. it was an instinctual reaction but wasn’t the smartest.
I consider myself a lucky woman. In a world where it’s possible for bad things to happen to good people, we can at least arm ourselves with tools (like Latitude) that can help us during these unfortunate times.
Man, I gotta use the words “foppish dandy” more often.
Oh and yes, the reporter did ask me to show him how I was talking on the phone with my sister, and then i handed the phone to the cop so that he can talk to my sister who saw my phone’s location on her phone’s Google Latitude.
Guess that wasn’t really fully explained. Sorry.
I think there are several important distinctions here.
1. This isn’t about the government spying on you. You have to choose to use and enable these services. You also have full control over who can and cannot track you. You can turn also turn these services off anytime you choose. (Note: you cannot turn off how cell towers triangulate your position using your cellphone, this is mandated by law under one of the e911 enhancement acts)
2. These type of services are not the only way to tract your location. Your IP address, wifi access points, cell tower location, phone logs, etc can all easily give as much info about your location as gps tracking services.
3. The big fear here is when these services are used against our will and w/o our consent. We should fear this type of approach And fight it aggressively. That said, use of some of this data is already legal under the patriot act.
Finally a practical use for Latitude: to catch thieves of purses.
Could turn out to be a rather expensive method.
So did the thief give their consent to be tracked after stealing the purse, has their privacy been invaded?
For all the bad things that can be said about location devices . There are some very good things for parents,
this could be a boom for police departments in tracking
victims of many crimes including kidnapping..
keeping gmaps in the background causes high data usage and battery in google latitude. Moreover if the gmaps is not open it cannot use the Latitude location sharing.
better option to track stolen mobiles would be a software like roblock from http://www.vaps...om/Roblock.aspx
Well as long as the service is easily turned on and off, and consumers are informed it is on their phone, then the complaint that it is an invasion of privacy is moot.
Seriously, this is something we can CHOOSE to activate as we wish, let the consumer decide what they want for crying out loud, if they are afraid of stalkers no-one will use it and it will die, whereas if people turn out to like the idea it will soar.
The complaints are confusing at best, if you don’t like it you don’t have to have anything to do with it!
creepy if you forget to function out.