Location Based Marketing - Who's Watching You?
Does Your Phone Know Where You've Been? Data Privacy Issues.
The recent location data controversy with Apple iPhones revealed that the phones have been tracking precise locations for their users over the past couple of years. In fact, there is an app available that can be used to track a person's travels over time, and this kind of information can lead to a lot of issues when it comes to data privacy and company secrecy. For instance, if it were possible to hack a company's iPhone, or just steal an unlocked one, a competitor may know where an executive has gone to scout out strategic acquisitions. Personal issues with data (like the "where have you been question") could arise, and in law enforcement or other cases regarding secrecy it may be possible to expose informants based on iPhone location data tracking.
Location Data and Augmented Reality are two popular new GPS advertising and location based marketing methods that are sure to be even more popular as mobile phones and devices come onto the market. Imagine owning a restaurant and stealing customers from a nearby venue by tweeting your wait times to interested customers who may not care to wait around for a table. Or, you could send special offers to people getting out of movie theaters, or give out drink specials to people coming out of concerts or sporting events.
Geospatial and geolocation apps are being built into standards for Android Phones, Twitter, HTML5, and other programming applications. By understanding the coordinates of map users, GPS queries, and social marketing platforms like FourSquare, By integrating GPS data with WiFi coordinates, cell phone towers, and other cues, geolocation and location data systems will be able to guide people through malls, sports stadiums, and indoor shopping areas with the level of accuracy required for augmented reality apps. Suddenly, smartphones are going to be the "tricorder" of the present, with people being able to get accurate directions or messaging while walking city streets.
Notes and Special Information
Special note: Location based data plans are in their infancy, so it may be smart to be cautious until a recognized format comes out.