Location tracking and the future

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: JOANIE WEXLER ON WIRELESS IN THE
ENTERPRISE
06/15/05
Today's focus: Location tracking and the future

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Applying RFID technology appropriately
* Links related to Wireless in the Enterprise
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: Location tracking and the future

By Joanie Wexler

Many thanks to all of you who responded to last week's
newsletter, "RFID, presence and privacy," with opinions about
what lies in store with location-tracking and
biometric-identification applications.

Most of us seem to agree that there's a very delicate balance to
strike between productivity and privacy when you can identify
who people are, where they are and what they're doing at any
point in time. Achieving that balance will undoubtedly be a
thorny challenge, particularly in today's
ultra-security-conscious climes.

Those of us addicted to the forensics-themed TV show "CSI" and
programs like it can't help but feel that enterprising thieves
will nearly always find some way to spoof the safeguards that
honest technologists build into systems. And, as one reader, a
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified
Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), pointed out:

"With the lack of ethics displayed throughout our global
society, Big Brother applications will undoubtedly appear [that
make inappropriate use of RFID information]."

Another reader, from the RFID community, asked me: "The mobile
phone vendors can already track everyone carrying a mobile
phone. Do you feel [RFID] greatly expands that 'loss' of
privacy?"

My answer: It doesn't matter to me which location-tracking
technology is used, but, rather, how it is used. For example, I
don't personally feel the mobile operators' ability to track my
phone invades my privacy - yet. At least to my knowledge, the
capability hasn't been applied in such a way. Tracking me down
for purposes of my own safety is a positive application of the
technology.

But if a stalker (or telemarketer) can suddenly find me wherever
I am, that's a horse of a different color. Whether they lasso me
using triangulation or RFID technology is irrelevant.

Worry over simply being too accessible - for privacy, time
management, security or stress reasons - has been one of the big
objections to having a 411 directory of cellular subscribers.
Cellular phone owners haven't wanted to receive the
telemarketing calls (particularly on their own dime) that plague
them at home, spam in the form of short message service (SMS)
text and now mobile viruses once their contact information is
public.

On the other hand, having directories can also be quite handy
when used appropriately.

I think location tracking in general and perhaps RFID in
particular have the potential to become the most revolutionary
set of technologies since the cell phone itself, bringing us
truly into the Star Trek age. We are now wise to the foibles
that can arise with any communication and information
technology, so it makes sense to anticipate the potential abuses
up front so we can minimize the downsides.

It's not going to be easy, though. Much of that work boils down
to ethics, a topic that is very difficult for society to agree
upon.

RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS

RFID policy panel raises privacy concerns
IDG News Service, 04/06/05
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/0406rfidpolic.html?rl

Cisco releases Airespace WLAN location server
Network World Fusion, 05/05/05
http://www.networkworld.com/nlwir2611

Experts fear RFID strain on networks
Network World, 06/06/05
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/060605-reva.html?rl

Network-centric RFID draws near
Network World, 04/04/05
http://www.networkworld.com/nlwir1470

Wireless enables assembly lines
Network World, 06/13/05
http://www.networkworld.com/research/2005/061305sector.html?rl

Microsoft plans mobile push
Network World, 06/13/05
http://www.networkworld.com/nlwir2612
_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Joanie Wexler

Joanie Wexler is an independent networking technology
writer/editor in California's Silicon Valley who has spent most
of her career analyzing trends and news in the computer
networking industry. She welcomes your comments on the articles
published in this newsletter, as well as your ideas for future
article topics. Reach her at <mailto:joanie@jwexler.com>.
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Oracle
SAN and SMP, Pooling or Provisioning - what does it all mean?

Find out with the Oracle Grid Computing Glossary! Like any
technology, grid computing is made up of a specialized set of
terms and acronyms. This comprehensive glossary provides a
definition of important grid-related terms.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=106762
_______________________________________________________________
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