Privacy in the Cellular World

2847 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Cell phone privacy infringements

Privacy in the Cellular World

Does technology such as GPS violate the privacy of cell phone users?

"Law enforcement is right that this technology may help track kidknappers, but this is also going to help the kidknappers stalk their victims" (1)

--James X. Dempsey, senior staff counsel at the Center for Democracy and technology

Cellular telephones, long associated with untethered freedom, are becoming silent leashes, as cellular companies have been mandated by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) to adopt and install location finding equipment into their designs. This potentially enables a whole host of members of soceity to track one's whereabouts: the police, ambulance dispatchers, advertisers or marketers, worried parents, and jealous spouses. In many cases, the new technology is being defended as public safety insurance for people making emergency 911 calls. However, the ability of this technology offers for law enforcement officials or just plain snoops to continusously monitor a caller's position and movement in detail--even months after the call was made--is drawing fire from privacy advocates and civil libertarians.

Most of us probably remember playing hide-and-seek as a kid. There seemed to be so many places where we could seek and never be found. Today finding a place where you can't be seen is becoming increasingly difficult. Surveillance technology of varoius forms seem to watch our every move. Now, cell phones are being augmented by new tracking technology that will detect our wireless cell phones, too. Cell phones will operate using Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites and loval, land-based networks, these new systems will use wireless radio signals to find you wherever you are. As of Oct...

... middle of paper ...

...
3. Harris, Dan. "Lifesaver, or Big Brother? 911 Tracking System Raises Privacy Concerns"

abcnews.com http://more.abc.news.go.com/sections/wnt/DailyNews/wnt010313_e911.html

Other Sources

Charny, Ben. "Guess who's tracking you by cell phone?" ZDNet News http://zdnetnews.com/2100-1105-846959.html 27 February 2002.

Crouch, Cameron. "Will Big Brother Track You by Cell Phone?" PC World September 2001: 34.

"How Location Tracking Will Work." Howstuffwors.com http://howstuffworks.com/location-tracking.html. 17 April 1999.

Marney, Kevin. "Cell phones could go beyond the call of duty." USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/ccarch/cckev042.htm August 23 2000.

Nelson, Matthew. "Reaching Too Far?" Information Week 20 August 2001: 20-22.

Wayner, Peter. "Technology that Tracks Cell Phones Draws Fire." The New York Times 23 February 1998: D3.

Show More
Related

  • Americans Are Now Living In a Society That Rivals Orwell's 1984

    2551 Words  | 6 Pages

    When one looks around in public it is almost impossible not to see someone who is talking, texting, or playing a game on a cell phone. When someone sends a text, the phone company saves it in a data bank where it sits waiting to be u...

    Read More

  • Of Jenna Wortham's 'Turn Off The Phone (And The Tension)'

    737 Words  | 2 Pages

    Having a daily routine is a great way to keep track of obligations and engagements, but so is a cell phone. You can add events to your calendar, send alerts to yourself, take notes, and have the world at your fingertips. These days’ electronics serve

    Read More

  • Essay on Internet Privacy - Carnivore, and the Power Of FBI Surveillance

    1739 Words  | 4 Pages

    Abstract:  This paper provides an analysis of the privacy issues associated with governmental Internet surveillance, with a focus on the recently disclosed FBI tool known as Carnivore. It concludes that, while some system of surveillance is necessary, more mechanisms to prevent abuse of privacy must exist.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Monitoring People's Privacy

    292 Words  | 1 Pages

    One of the big advantages of using technology in monitoring people lives, is keeping them safe and secured. While some people argue that it’s not the governments right to interfere in their privacy, they will appreciate the government act when the walk in the middle of the night, knowing that they

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Dystopian Literature

    561 Words  | 2 Pages

    As technology allows for the constant possibility that someone might always be watching you — whether it’s the government, your friends, or

    Read More

  • The Government is Wiretapping You

    1485 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Smartphones and the 4th Amendment”. The New York Times. (27 Apr. 2014).Web. 28 Apr. 2014.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Article 'Our Cell Phones Ourselves'

    1753 Words  | 4 Pages

    A common theme is taking place where as people feel that cell phones are starting to take over others daily lives. Many people go through their day to day lives not even relizing how often they are on their cell phones. In the article, “Our Cell Phones, Ourselves” the author Christine Rosen talks about how cell phones are starting to become a necessity in every way towards peoples lives. Rosen talks about both the good and bad effects of cell phones and how they have changed the way in which we work our daily life. Although I think cell phones can be necissary, the constant need for use could be the beginning of how cell phones will take over our every day lives.

    Read More

  • Human-implanted Chips

    1430 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...initely at risk if anything more than the barest of features are implemented with the technology. It’s evident that the technology is not a necessity today, and that widespread usage may be something that’s quite a bit ahead in the future, if at all. Unfortunately, this is one technology that may initially find a better home in countries seeking to better track their citizens.

    Read More

  • Negative Effects Of Cell Phones In Today's Society

    1899 Words  | 4 Pages

    Many people in today’s society rely on technology to help us with our daily lives and help us stay connected to family, friends, and other people. The advancements in today’s cell phone technology is very complex and made to be efficient for their owners, allowing them to surf the net and IM message people instantly. Cellphones in particular have developed very fast in the past 15 years. From my childhood, cell phones have evolved from the old school Nokia bricks that allowed texts, calls, and simple graphic games, to todays I-Phones that have higher computable capabilities than some computers. In the United States alone, there is an estimated population of around 297 million people, and 197 million people are subscribed to cell phone companies (Starr). With so many people in today’s society with so much power and opportunity in the palm of their hands, we shouldn’t forget that “With great power comes great responsibility” –Voltaire.

    Read More

  • Cell Phone Tracking

    1098 Words  | 3 Pages

    Over the past few years, technology has grown to be the driving force in human productivity and efficiency. Technology has been incorporated into our everyday lives to help us perform daily activities and bridge long distance communication. Although technology has brought us many advantages, it has also created quite few ethical issues along the way. Some of the biggest ethical issues technology has created revolve around cell phones. These issues include cell phone tracking and using the cell phone to cheat. Cell phone privacy can be compromised in many situations regarding phone call tracking and messaging. Cell phone use is also starting to be abused by students and other test takers to cheat on tests. Even if the person has good moral standards, sometimes the right decision to make is not always clear.

    Read More

  • Cell Phone History - The Evolution of the Cell Phone

    1072 Words  | 3 Pages

    Cell phones have become a part of mainstream culture. Recently they have become more affordable and accomplish much more than making and receiving calls. Along with the growing popularity there is also growing concerns about safety and health. In this paper we will address cell phone history and how they have evolved. We will discuss health concerns such as tumors and talking while driving. Finally, we will talk about all of the technology that cell phones can accomplish such as receiving Email and buying stocks.

    Read More

  • The Pros and Cons of Cell Phones

    1033 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... are virtually mini telephones, digital cameras, laptops, and ipods in one. That amount of technology in such a compact space is truly astounding. It’s unfortunate to think cell phones are just becoming, if they have not already, another “status symbol” indicating where you rank on the ladder of what our culture deems “in”.

    Read More

  • How Technology Impacts Our Privacy

    891 Words  | 2 Pages

    Kim, Betsy. "How SmartPhones Invade Your Privacy [Infographic]." Legal News Lawyers.com. N.p., 4 June 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.

    Read More

  • Cell Phone Use in Schools Should Not be Banned

    1410 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many of us see cell phones pessimistically, but really haven’t looked at them optimistically. We all know that "with every good, comes a bad, and with responsibility, comes consequences".

    Read More

  • Impact of Cell Phones on Human Interaction

    745 Words  | 2 Pages

    I believe cell phones play an important role in our society’s evolution in communication and has fundamentally changed the way we achieve this task. However I firmly presume that we need to use this technology responsibly. Cell phones have many great uses, but when used improperly this amazing invention can be your worst

    Read More

More about Privacy in the Cellular World

Open Document