NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] Microsoft locks down Wi-Fi geolocation service after privacy concerns
Microsoft locks down Wi-Fi geolocation service after privacy concerns
http://j.mp/obaeoQ (This message on Google+)
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http://j.mp/r3Ajhr (Article on ars technica)
"Microsoft has restricted its Wi-Fi-powered geolocation database after
a researcher investigating Wi-Fi geolocation and position tracking
raised privacy concerns about the information recorded. This follows a
similar move from Google, amidst identical privacy complaints."
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I continue to be somewhat mystified by "privacy concerns" asserted
related to publicly available, "broadcast" Wi-Fi beacon data. After
all, the information is there "in the air" for anyone to collect just
by walking or driving by. Attempting to restrict access to data that
is already effectively in the public domain may win political points
somewhere, but strikes me as illogical, and unnecessarily restrictive
of positive uses for such data.
--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein (lauren@vortex.com): http://www.vortex.com/lauren
Co-Founder: People For Internet Responsibility: http://www.pfir.org
Founder:
- Network Neutrality Squad: http://www.nnsquad.org
- Global Coalition for Transparent Internet Performance: http://www.gctip.org
- PRIVACY Forum: http://www.vortex.com
Member: ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
Google+: http://vortex.com/g+lauren
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenweinstein
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800 / Skype: vortex.com