While cell phone tracking is useful in an emergency and in law enforcement, it is not favorable in all situations and has its disadvantages. Some of these issues concern safety and privacy.
Privacy Issues
Cell phones have changed the way we look at communication. It is a convenience that has allowed us to keep in touch with others no matter where we are at the moment. Now with the addition of GPS, we have the ability to locate people. While it seems like a good idea in many situations, it can be abused. An ex-boyfriend, relative, or stranger may have malicious intentions. There is also the concern about identity theft. It can be dangerous even if you think it will not happen to you.
For the most part, we want to think that law enforcement and the government have our best interests when it comes to personal safety and security. The FCC requires cell phone providers to have records of their customer location information. In addition, current cell phone tracking laws give them too much leeway since a cell phone trace can be granted even without a warrant. Only general information needs to be provided to a judge or say that it is part of an ongoing criminal investigation. It is a gray area since the definition of a criminal activity is not always clear.
Financial Cost
Like any other consumer product with new features, cell phones with GPS make them more expensive to purchase. It is now becoming a standard requirement that cell phone manufacturers install GPS in their products.
Other Cell Phone Tracking Disadvantages
While cell phone tracking can be very effective, it does have a couple of limitations. GPS enabled cell phones cannot be located if your phone is not on. Since most people are aware that cell phones can be tracked, individuals who abduct someone can simply get rid of their victim’s cell phone. A person can also disable the phone by setting by what is sometimes called the “hide” feature. Some may even have the option to allow tracking only in 911 situations. However, some consumers may not be aware of this feature since many cell phone manufacturers do not put it in a convenient place for you to find. Another problem is that cell phones can have reception problems. Signals can be lost in particular locations like among tall building or in heavily forested terrain.
Final Words
Cell phone tracking is a powerful tool, but there are disadvantages and limitations. As with any new technology, there will always be someone who will try to exploit it. By being aware of how things work, the better we are able to take steps to protect ourselves to avoid potential problems.