Using Apps To 'Soft Control' People's Movements

pinguin-geek writes "Computer science researchers at Northwestern University have developed a way to exert limited control on how people move, pushing them out of their regular travel patterns. The key: tapping into some of their cell phone applications. The findings could elicit a broader range of user-collected data by driving foot traffic to under-utilized areas."

Comments

Privacy

[thereitis]

“Obviously users need to know where their data is going,” he said, “and we take every measure to protect user privacy.”

Yet another phrase that has lost all meaning.

Re:This is not about controlling people

[khallow]

The term for manipulating something that you don't control is "influence". You don't control the target, you present resources and information that the target may choose to use, changing their behavior indirectly.

Covertly transferring images from your phone

[yotto]

I have no problem with a game like this if the makers of the game were up front about it. I'd probably even play. Sounds fun. See new areas, get out in the world, get some sun and exercise, and get some cool pictures and points to boot. All the while, you're helping someone make 3-d models of real world things. Seems like a win all around.

But you secretly snap pictures with my phone and upload them to a server? No way. No fucking way.

Re:This is not about controlling people

[ScrewMaster]

When I get in my car and turn on the key, the car has no choice in the matter.

I've owned cars that would disagree with you on that score.