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Amazon Granted Location Tracking Patent

Posted by Unknown on from the think-of-the-incredible-deals dept.

bizwriter writes "A new patent for Amazon just put the company squarely in the location tracking controversy. It covers a system to not only track, through mobile devices, where individuals or aggregated users have been, but to determine where they're likely to go next to better target ads, coupons, or other messages that could appear on a mobile phone or on displays that individuals are likely to see in their travels. The system could also use someone's identity to further tailor the marketing according to demographic information."

5 of 68 comments (clear)

  1. Re:As terrible as it sounds... by Superken7 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What makes you think Amazon will not be suing others for ridiculous and non-innovative technology such as buying items with 1 click? Oh wait, they already did AFAIK :)

    Still, I feel Apple is more of a patent troll and more of a control freak, so I kinda still agree that they are worse, but that doesn't mean its good, and comparing to Apple would be pointless.

  2. Re:As terrible as it sounds... by Trepidity · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I kinda hope they do in this case, and turn the whole user-tracking area into a patent minefield that companies are afraid to touch.

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    10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
  3. Re:We know by somersault · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If you don't want your location being tracked, turn off location tracking in your browser or in your OS's location options. Simples.

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    which is totally what she said
  4. This is not going to stop by Zaldarr · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'm an undergrad student getting a degree in Business, and I'm probably pointing out the obvious when I say that this will not stop because there is far too much money to be made out of it. The thing is about the micromarkets (i.e. selling directly to a consumer) is that it takes out all the guesswork involved in trying to appeal to a mass or niche market. No (expensive) market research needs to be done - other than having an algorithm sort through a bunch of information about yourself (provided most likely by Google or Facebook, whatever's your poison) and matching it with related products, and BAM. You're being advertised to right there, at (or near) the store, advertising to you about something that is probably relevant to you. The power of this is not to be underestimated, old media methods were like carpetbombing, just get the message out to everyone, and hope it hits; new media is now a surgical strike at your wallet via the phone in your pocket. Unless there is political control, public outrage or (heaven forbid) good corporate ethics, this is here to stay.

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    I write professional videogame reviews! http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/
  5. Re:This is good news! by Hentes · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Because nobody else is tracking you.