Car is obviously one of the most widely used means of transportation, the history of which is a very glorious one. Along this process, the invention of the wheel was certainly a step in the right direction. However, when the automobile was first invented at the turn of the century, no one even knew the capabilities that the traveling device would grow to have. It turns out that is has grown to become not only one of the most trusted means of transport, but also a man’s best friend. Nowadays the car is a status symbol, acting as a gauge of the livelihood of the person who drives it. What people didn’t realize is the fact that it would become the object of a lot of controversy regarding privacy one day.
As an important step in the development of security and tracking, the invention of the GPS undoubtedly is a key factor for pushing forward the advance of society. Cars equipped with GPS devices might be doing a little more – they are sleek and smart, and many people prefer and feel safer in them, and even totally rely on them. But the GPS device might just be a little smarter than most of us may think, which seem to be indicated by recent revelations. In the light of car technology experts, the fact that one knows exactly where the person is driving at any one time might have enormous potential. Manipulating that information, one can be able to acquire and sell personal information at a price. I believe that the sale of personal information is nothing new to us, and even has the potential to make someone big money. Cars are tracking people in much the same way as smartphones do today. And instances of using smart phones to obtain personal information are not new either.
That targeted advertising services and marketing make it more lucrative explains why there is increased political goodwill in trying to curb this growing trend. Chuck Schumer, once senator of New York, has led the demand for federal regulations to control any potential breaches. According to the senator, GPS devices, black boxes and vehicle-to-vehicle devices collect a lot of information that can be collected and sold by vehicle manufacturers. He called on the relevant organizations, the national highway traffic safety administration and the federal trade commission to establish clear guidelines on type of data that these devices can collect. His suggestions also go as far as giving drivers the option of opting out of such programs that collect their personal information.
Undeniably, there is some truth in these allegations of car spying and collecting information. As long as the car tracks everywhere the individual goes, then it knows the person’s private information regarding where they drive to and from every day, where they travel and how much they spend on their trips etc. It tracks and records all the movement so it knows where the person unwinds during their free time, where they eat and who they visit, and so on. Moreover, car tracking even knows the favorite holiday destinations that people have. Pam Dixon, executive director of the World Privacy Forum, told the Washington Post: ‘Most people don’t realize how deeply ingrained their habits are and how where we park our car on a regular basis can tell someone many things about us.’
But do or will the car companies share this information? The fact is that many of these firms keep tight-lipped about how and when they use this data. A study done by the government accountability office reveals that up to 90% of the manufacturers of cars, security and tracking devices share the information they collect.
Judging from all of the above, apparently it will be wise to use a universal GPS jammer because the car spying is and will be an ongoing concern, and the fact that it takes advantage of devices that people trust to keep them safe makes it even worse!
