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Article
Location and Tracking of Mobile Devices: Überveillance Stalks the Streets
Computer Law and Security Review (2013)
  • Katina Michael, University of Wollongong
  • Roger Clarke, Australian National University
Abstract

During the last decade, location-tracking and monitoring applications have proliferated, in mobile cellular and wireless data networks, and through self-reporting by applications running in smartphones that are equipped with onboard global positioning system (GPS) chipsets. It is now possible to locate a smartphone-user's location not merely to a cell, but to a small area within it. Innovators have been quick to capitalise on these location-based technologies for commercial purposes, and have gained access to a great deal of sensitive personal data in the process. In addition, law enforcement utilise these technologies, can do so inexpensively and hence can track many more people. Moreover, these agencies seek the power to conduct tracking covertly, and without a judicial warrant. This article investigates the dimensions of the problem of people-tracking through the devices that they carry. Location surveillance has very serious negative implications for individuals, yet there are very limited safeguards. It is incumbent on legislatures to address these problems, through both domestic laws and multilateral processes.

Keywords
  • dataveillance,
  • uberveillance,
  • surveillance,
  • GPS,
  • location,
  • shoppers,
  • malls,
  • tracking,
  • monitoring,
  • path,
  • route,
  • intelligence,
  • rental,
  • privacy,
  • consumers,
  • purchase behaviour,
  • dwelling times,
  • movements,
  • observation,
  • people,
  • footpath,
  • analysis,
  • mining,
  • cellular mobile,
  • mobile device signatures
Publication Date
2013
Citation Information
Katina Michael and Roger Clarke. "Location and Tracking of Mobile Devices: Überveillance Stalks the Streets" Computer Law and Security Review Vol. 29 Iss. 2 (2013)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kmichael/305/