Are We Giving Up on Privacy By Using GPS Tracking Devices?

In this internet world, the concept of privacy has a whole new meaning. With the Facebook reporting each and every movement in the daily life and IMs allowing people to chat with each other round the clock, the line between private and public life has blurred. Entering the array of technological innovations is the GPS tracking device. This tracker is designed to work based on the signals received from the Global Positioning Satellites. The signals beamed from the tracker are intercepted by three satellites that triangulate the area to identify the exact location of the tracking device and the user.

Nowadays employers are tracking employees with GPS trackers. The tracking software program can be downloaded on to a Smartphone that the employee can carry with him wherever he goes. This tracker also maintains a record of the travel directions, time and number of kilometers traveled. A report can be generated and used to verify with the details provided by the field agent. It will help not only to keep track of the employee’s movements, but also evaluate their performance and productivity. There are many schools of thoughts that are against the use of GPS tracking devices for employees. They feel that the employee will not have the freedom to work independently and will feel as if he is constantly under the radar. They feel that the privacy of the agent is under threat because the companies are tracking employees with GPS trackers. In the office premises, the employee is constantly monitored by the managers on the floor and the CCTV cameras. When they are out in the field, the trackers are simply replacing the security cameras.

In the same way, the children tracking systems are being used. Parents get GPS trackers for their kids in order to ensure their safety when they are traveling to and from school or other training classes. Parents feel more assured of their child’s safety when they know that the child is carrying a GPS tracking device. So, if even the child doesn’t call up and inform their location to their parents, they can easily identify the kid’s location by giving a missed call to tracking device. Sometimes the child may feel frustrated and irritated because his/her parents are constantly monitoring their movements using the children tracking system.

As with all technological developments, the GPS tracking device too has its pros and cons. However, when we look at the safety perspective, it does seem as if we may have to give up a little on our privacy.