Google Latitude, the location-aware social networking add-on to Google Maps for Mobile is not the first such ‘friend tracker’ but it is the first one that has come under widespread scrutiny over privacy and security. Privacy watchdog Privacy International has reacted strongly to the launch of the software this week and called upon Google to make some changes to the way the system works.
Privacy International say that they have identified a possible security flaw in the Latitude system. Basically, Google’s position is that the system is secure because you have to enable it on your phone before it will start broadcasting your GPS coordinates to other users. Ahh, say PI, but what if someone else enables it without telling you? Your spouse, perhaps – or even your boss if it is a work phone.
Latitude does have a ‘reminder’ mechanism that alerts you if it is running – but PI note that this is only available on some handsets and then only if Latitude has not been used for some time. By setting Latitude to constantly report your location you can effectively disable these notifications.
Simon Davies of Privacy International said, “As it stands right now, Latitude could be a gift to stalkers, prying employers, jealous partners and obsessive friends. The dangers to a user’s privacy and security are as limitless as the imagination of those who would abuse this technology.”
via Information Week
