Tracking Your Cell Phone for Traffic Reports

BostonBTS writes "IntelliOne Technologies has just launched a real-world test of Need4Speed, a real-time traffic-monitoring system that tracks drivers' cell phones. From their website: 'Unlike any other solution available today, the IntelliOne Roadway Speed Measurement System produces live roadway speeds for all highways and surface streets where mobile phone coverage exists, accurate to within three miles per hour.' Of course, any compulsory phone-tracking system raises privacy concerns. According to an article on LiveScience, 'the personal identification data of users will be stripped from cell phone signals before they are processed by IntelliOne's software.' The cell phone companies have this data, but IntelliOne says they won't be keeping their copy."

Comments

Privacy Concerns

[Anonymous Coward]

'the personal identification data of users will be stripped from cell phone signals before they are processed by IntelliOne's software.'

Yes... and only their 10 digit user id/phone number will be left behind.. no names...
Oh wait... sorry... wrong company

paper weight

[demonbug]

This is why I always keep my cell phone in a lead box.

Re:paper weight

[Kesch]

Aha! You have just given me an idea to make billions. I will sell a lead cell phone enclosure fashioned like an old bulky 1980's cell phone. I will then start a big FUD campaign to make people afraid of a transmitting cellphone.

The doubleplusgood combination retro-style and cellular safety will have millions of sheeple clamoring to buy a Cell-be-safe signal blocking case.

Oh shit, I just said this out loud didn't I?

Oh well, first one to the patent office wins. Runner up might be able patent doing it on the internet.

Systematic error in the speed

[wbean]

My bet is that they will find that they have a systematic error in the traffic speed. The cell phone users are driving more slowly than the rest of the cars. Might help to predict accidents, though.

Hi, my name is Pat Riot

[Travoltus]

I'm utterly appalled at the way you make fun of America's growing surveillance system. What's wrong with sacrificing privacy for safety? Your opposition to the free market usage of your personal information smacks of Godless communism. What do you have to hide? Aren't you aware that surveillance is needed to defend our constitution from our enemies? And please stop making fun of the good people at the NSA, they only have your best interests at heart.

[end neo con parody]

Re:Oh yeah, like it's going to be anonymous

[CrazyJim1]

I think the only way to be safe is nuke it from orbit.

Solution for getting tracked:

[failure-man]

What if we took matters into our own hands by all getting HAM radio sets and patching through an encrypted stream? It could be like, the geek's anonymous communication system for the postmodern world.
 
The only way to track you would be to visually notice the HAM Radio license plates and two-meter antenna stuck to your hatchback. What could be less suspicious!