IP: WATCHING YOU WATCHING THEM: Edupage, July 11, 2001

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> WATCHING YOU WATCHING THEM
> New tracking technology in cell phones, interactive TVs, and
> GPS-enabled rental cars is raising privacy concerns. Already,
> several companies are developing software to help track and make
> use of data collected from TV set-top boxes. The Center for
> Digital Democracy, an advocacy group for consumer privacy, is
> currently lobbying for regulations on the use of such technology
> that targets ads and gathers personal data. Aware of the possible
> government restrictions, the Association for Interactive Media is
> trying to outline privacy guidelines for interactive TV operations
> such as Microsoft's UltimateTV and the TiVo recorder. Currently,
> those companies are outside of cable regulations because they
> make use of phone lines. A host of companies are rushing to take
> advantage of a FCC deadline for wireless carriers to be able to
> pinpoint the location of cell phone users. Besides being able to
> locate users in 911-emergency cases, companies will be able to
> send location-specific wireless ads to subscribers of wireless
> Internet services.
> (Boston Globe, 9 July 2001)



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