in

Love ItLove It

GPS dog collars and privacy…

GPS collars for dogs to me are a technology I don’t need. I know, there are not many technologies in this world that I don’t think about, this is one! Per my daughter in part that is because our dogs may be so spoiled, that they wouldn’t want to leave. They, the dogs that live with us, wouldn’t have it that good somewhere else. Dos, like people, can always wish for greener pastures. But for me, with a dog and a fenced back yard, a GPS collar feels like overkill. We do have my cell phone imprinted on the collars worn by the dogs. That has served as a good enough system for the past few years. The need for GPS connectivity to the dogs is more than I need.

But, based on the conversation we had a few days ago https://virily.com/virily_poll/on-the-things-you-track-and-the-things-that-track-you/  I talked about things that track your steps. It is an expanding and interesting area. If you read the comment thread by Alex and many others, you will see the intrigue that the concept of tracking produces.  I am often asked to do an IoT presentation and a future of tech presentation for the technical high schools near where I live. I often talk about the reality of selfie drones and the expansion of cameras around us. I have, on many occasions asked the students how many cameras are in high school. It is, many more than people realize.

I am not advocating the placement of cameras. I am also not decrying it. It is a subtle balance between the right to my privacy and the need for security. That balance is going to continue to wobble. The concept of software on your phone tracking you should be either court ordered, or user has chosen. There really shouldn’t be a gray area. If you break the law, and a court agrees, then tracking your phone is fair. If I choose, say “Sweatcoins)” then I have chosen to allow that application to track my steps. I do not, however, give that application access to my calls. Or my email and so on. That reality of my privacy versus my desire to track my steps is something that we are going to have to debate over the next few years.

I will be asking the classes I present this spring a few of the questions shared in the poll today. Let me know what you think, so I can be to shape my presentation!

  • Question of

    Apps that track your steps should only track your steps, right?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Location information is private information, right?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Knowing where people are without their knowledge isn’t nece, right?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Privacy is something we should give up for security?

    • Yes
    • No

Report

What do you think?

Written by DocAndersen

One fan, One team and a long time dream Go Cubs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

31 Comments

  1. They will just follow us a little bit later on the toilet … I think they are going to interfere too much in our privacy … cameras at every step

    1
    • You know Alex. You are of course correct. But that goes also for any device now connected. The question isn’t the ones we choose.

      The question is what about the ones we didn’t choose?

      1
  2. I am, in principle, against tracking devices in the sense that they are used uncontrollably. Of course, I agree if the court decides on track, or if we install cameras in the apartment itself.

    1
  3. Camera and GPS and all of the tracking devices can be excellent to a point. We all have to use moderation and commons sense in each situation. I have seen many stories of murders and burglaries solved due to cameras. But they can all be too invasive so I guess there is a fine line we have to decide how to cross, if at all.

    1
  4. In terms of cameras. I go to an elderly woman at night. Once he fell and broke his family’s hand and decided to put a camera in her room. It is a great convenience for me because I can follow her movements after my phone alerts me. Before that we had to sleep in a room. In some spheres, I agree to have observations.

    1
    • Your point and Carol’s point are both well taken. There is a line, we have to decide if crossing that line brings the value we need.

      In the case of an elderly patient, such a line is extremely valuable.

      1