With the Supreme Court currently deliberating whether the use of traditional GPS tracking systems are in violation of the 4th amendment or not, some are beginning to question how private companies (especially those linked to smart phones applications) are not undergoing the same questioning.
GPS tracking is often used for other purposes as well. In fact many businesses find them quite reliable in terms of tracking their employees, through employee GPS tracking, for better serving their customers. Some use one for when they want to keep track of a valuable asset or an important order and find an asset GPS tracking device to be quite helpful. And even real time GPS tracking devices are often used for those who want to keep track of a loved one or a vehicle in real time. However, a person using such devices and the person or item for which it’s being used is most likely aware of the tracking. In the case currently being debated in the Supreme Court (United States v. Jones), Jones had no idea the police had placed a GPS tracking device on his vehicle.
The government was able to track this person’s movements through a GPS device without a warrant, which is in many ways similar to the use of a wiretap, which does require a warrant. However, how is that any different than when a smartphone app tracks your location, then sends that information to their headquarters? What about when Google keeps track of what and when you search? Truly pondering how much of our internet usage is tracked and analyzed by third parties can be pretty disturbing. However, consider this: Verizon Wireless recently changed their company’s privacy policy, now allowing the information collected about your web browsing history to be sold to third parties.
Why are we not demanding these companies be taken to court? Why do we allow such tracking to take place? The reason is because we’re getting something out of all this tracking; these private companies supply us with all sort of services in return for your information and tracking your various locations. Some of those services may include: giving directions, giving the ability to share their opinions with their friends, and suggestions for where to eat dinner, and in many cases for free. For many, this price is well worth it. And if it’s OK for these companies to track their customers, then even more so those in law enforcement should be allowed, some people might argue. They see it as means of protection and safety of the public- which should not be illegal. Some even see it as a means of saving the government money and manpower. Yet again, there are those who do not see the connection between a company using GPS tracking and the government using GPS tracking, and are thus adamant in protecting the 4th amendment.
