| As you may well be aware, there are many | | | | security of knowing the location of their child. In |
| important benefits to consider when using the | | | | fact, some parents use GPS devices to monitor |
| Global Positioning Satellite System (GPS). It is | | | | their child's location and activities. If their child fails |
| invaluable when trying to navigate in unfamiliar | | | | to follow the parents' guidelines, these parents |
| areas, but some people think it is an invasion of | | | | may opt to suspend driving and socialization |
| privacy. Security and privacy have been openly | | | | privileges. |
| debated, and most adults believe that it is more | | | | GPS cell phones no longer require people to |
| beneficial than detrimental. | | | | purchase expensive hardware to track a loved |
| GPS tracking devices can provide monitoring data | | | | one. Cell phone companies now offer this option. |
| on a vehicle such as total miles driven, speeds | | | | However most cell phones do not offer the user |
| that it was driven, traveled routes, as well as its | | | | direct access to the GPS data. Accurate location |
| current location. The sophistication and quantity of | | | | determination requires the assistance of the |
| available monitored data varies depending upon | | | | wireless network, and the GPS data is |
| the system and the make and model of the GPS | | | | transmitted only if a 911 emergency call is made. |
| device and vehicle of installation. | | | | Cellphones raise lots of privacy issues. Consumers |
| This is also widely regarded as an invasion of our | | | | are often not aware that their movements are |
| personal privacy. To give one example, a standard | | | | recorded and tracked. Global Positioning Systems |
| rental car contract will often stipulate that if you | | | | (GPS) reveal a person's location. This type of |
| go over 79 miles per hour, you will have to pay | | | | location data helps police with their investigations, |
| extra for the wear and tear that the car suffers. | | | | such as tracking down a criminal or even |
| The car rental company can find out if you are | | | | someone who is lost or missing. They can act as |
| going too fast by receiving information from the | | | | a safety device to protecting your family and |
| GPS tracking devices that are attached to the | | | | loved ones. Location technology also helps locate |
| vehicle. Thus, if you go over 79 miles per hour, | | | | stolen cars. The technology for these tracking |
| they will know, and you will be billed. | | | | devices is constantly improving. However, there is |
| Frequently, parents believe that GPS security and | | | | some potential that tracking data can be misused. |
| privacy issues are minimal in comparison with the | | | | |