Shopping Monitor Comes to USA

[withnail]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2067187/Privacy-invasion-Shops-secretly-track-snooping-mobile.html
I wondered what you guys in America thought of the introduction of "FootPath" monitoring system to USA? It has been used in the UK for some years although most people are not aware of it. It monitors your cell phone, which sends a signal out every so often to tell the network where it is. The FootPath system records this information to track your movements through a shop or Mall. It allows the shop owners to arrange their products in the most profitable way, but without the permission of the phone user. The only way to avoid being tracked is to turn off your phone or leave it at home.
Has there been much in the US News about this? If so, what has the reaction been?

 

[nemrod]

Kind of like Facebook tracking you all over the web, huh.

 

[cyndi]

Gah! Safari just ate my thoughtful response, so you can take my summary and add wit and snark to it in your head.
I'm sure companies have the ability to do this but I'm also sure it's very expensive and the reporting system is faulty. Why? Because I've done reporting/analytics for a very large corporate website. Reported data is only as good as the data that goes into the system, and in malls made of metal and concrete where there is no cell reception at all the incoming data is going to be problematic at best. Other methods of customer attraction and retention reporting are available for cheaper and are more reliable. If you don't want to be tracked, common knowledge is to turn off the device and remove the battery.
However, if they can turn this into a concierge service where if 10 ft from the door the greeter was told "this is Cyndi. She prefers this type of makeup and this shade. Last purchase was this perfume. Is now available for the 500 point reward." I'd be all for that and would regularly mess with it by bringing different people's cell with me just to see what response I'd get on the next visit. I like data manipulation.

 

[withnail]

LOL @Cyndi - I love to mess with data if it is going to a large multi-national! I once sent a load of questionnaire forms back to various big companies using an alias. It was interesting to see how that name was spread to other companies and meant that all the junk mail I got was easy to spot as it was addressed to an imaginary person

 

[group4]

Just heard about this technology within the last few days, probably on the news. They pointed out you could opt out of the "data collection" by turning off your phone, but that seems unlikely as people around here have to be reminded to turn off their phones during concerts, movies, and church.

 

[rigmedic1]

As always, it is another double edged sword. Business sees it as another tool that may give them an edge. The consumer might see it as a benefit, or an invasion of privacy. Just like data cookies on one's computer was once a hot topic, this thing will probably dominate a news cycle for awhile, then most people will go back to doing what they do anyway. Face it, we have been captured, tagged, and released. No sense in worrying about it now.

 

[eaglerico]

This is becoming more of a regular thing in the US. In Houston, we have a company called TranStar. They provide the public traffic information. One of their ways of getting more accurate information is they put Bluetooth sensors on all the major roads. If you download their mobile app, your phone sends out a signal every so often to the BT sensors. They swear it is anonymous but I find that hard to believe.
The FBI also has a software that they can remotely put on any smartphone that is on to secretly turn on your microphone and listen in on conversations. Also, meaning they can track your every move

 

[judcole]

The FBI also has a software that they can remotely put on any smartphone that is on to secretly turn on your microphone and listen in on conversations. Also, meaning they can track your every move

Another reason I'm glad I don't have a smart phone. :P

 

[mcarnevale]

I'll never own a "Smart Phone".

 

[nemrod]

The FBI also has a software that they can remotely put on any smartphone that is on to secretly turn on your microphone and listen in on conversations.

iPhone maybe, but not Android. Why? Because it's something called open source. This is why the world needs more people like Stallman and less proprietary software.
If you're paranoid you just need to know how to set yourself up and you're relatively safe (until they make it illegal to use encryption - which they're well on their way of doing, making it impossible to protect your privacy if you want to stay connected).

 

[alamowest]

just a quick FYI: if you use a bluetooth headset, all of you conversation is broadcast in the clear. A simple $20.00 device will allow someone to hear your transmission up to 200 feet away. There are devices that will allow your signal to be heard a mile or more away.
Mike