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There are many ways that advances in technology such as smart phones, GPS tracking and the internet have vastly improved modern society. However, a decade or so into the technological age, we’re also very familiar with the cost to our privacy that came along with many of these advances. It used to be that most of these concerns were surrounding identity theft and cyber criminals. Unfortunately, it appears the government is also realizing that the more information we share online, the easier it is for them to access.

The annual Intelligence Support Systems (ISS) World Americas conference recently took place in Washington, DC. The conference included representatives from intelligence agencies and law enforcement to discuss “lawful interception” techniques, including GPS tracking, computer hacking and covert bugging. The conference was closed to members of the public and media.

“Traditionally communications flowed through phone companies, but consumers are increasingly using communications that operate [outside] their jurisdiction. This changes the way interception is carried out . . . the current method of choice would seem to be spyware, or trojan horses,” explained a Washington-based privacy and surveillance expert, Chris Soghoian. “There’s now a thriving outsourced surveillance industry and they are there to meet the needs and wants of countries from around the world, including those who are more – and less – respectful to human rights.”

Whenever you bring up privacy concerns with GPS tracking or phone tapping, especially when it comes to the government, someone will inevitably argue that if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. Chris Soghoian, who was a former government employee and attended an ISS conference in 2010 offers a counter point. “When there are five or six conferences held in closed locations every year, where telecommunications companies, surveillance companies and government ministers meet in secret to cut deals, buy equipments, and discuss the latest methods to intercept their citizens’ communications – that I think meets the level of concern,” adds Soghoian.

“They say that they are doing it with the best of intensions. And they say that they are doing it in a way that they have checks and balances and controls to make sure that these technologies are not being abused. But decades of history show that surveillance powers are abused – usually for political purposes.”

Article Written by Marisa O’Connor

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From the September 11 attacks to the present, the American “war on terror” has been a decade of heightened fear, danger, and security measures. One debate has raged all through this era: where is the line between government monitoring its citizens for security and the unauthorized breach of privacy? In other words, how much privacy will citizens give up in exchange for perceived security? From phone taps to alleged email monitoring to airport scanners, this generation has seen an increased level of privacy invasion. This puts the government in the position of always looking for “less invasive” means of gathering useful information and the citizens in the position of always examining the level and means of information gathering.

The Pennsylvania based surveillance company TruePosition has pioneered a new way of protecting important targets and restricted areas from attack. They use a new technolocation called LOCINT (“location intelligence”) to put up what they call an “invisible barrier around sensitive sites like critical infrastructure.” This technology does not use GPS technology, but instead relies on location of cell phones. LOCINT is capable of monitoring a given location with a list of approved cell phones, like employees and official visitors.

It can then trigger an alarm when an unauthorized phone enters the secure area. This invisible barrier is known as “geofencing.” This “white list” tracking sounds secure and does not appear to involve the monitoring of the phones of ordinary citizens, however, other uses of this technology frighten some people.

Opponents of LOCINT technology like TruePosition uses point out that this technology can also function the opposite way: it can be used to track persons of interest and monitor their location precisely. While many hope and believe that the government would only track real “bad guys,” proponents of privacy concerns remind us that with this technology, there is real potential for abuse. Whether it is used to prevent unauthorized persons from approaching a secure area or whether it is used to track suspicious persons regardless of location, it still relies on monitoring and tracking the phones of anyone and everyone who is in an area without their permission.

The real rub of this LOCINT geofencing technology is that it tracks cell phone users without their permission. While employees may be aware of tracking practices, ordinary people who approach a secure area are not. Regardless of purpose or target, geofencing monitors all phones that are near a protected location. This is often seen as a breach of privacy.

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LightSquared, a Reston, VA based wireless broadband company, is in the process of finding a way to launch their services, while not stepping on the toes of established GPS signals. The concern is that the wireless signals produced by LightSquared’s satellite and radio frequencies are much stronger than GPS signals. After some preliminary testing, it was determined by the FCC that LightSquared’s current proposed hybrid satellite/terrestrial broadband wireless service causes too much GPS signal interference.

Julius Genachowski, the FCC’s chairman, stressed the importance of protecting the integrity of GPS signals, and that he would not allow LightSquared, or any other company to interfere with the services provided by GPS. As it stands, LightSquared’s current proposal interfered with approximately 500 million GPS enabled devices, preventing them from operating properly. These devices range from clock synchronization and weather forecasting, to emergency response services and airplane tracking. GPS technology has permeated many aspects of modern society, and the FCC recognizes how devastating interference could potentially be.

According to Genachowski, the FCC is hoping for a solution that would allow both services to exist without interfering with each other. LightSquared has already submitted a modified proposal, which would use spectrums further away from the GPS signals. However, the FCC is hoping to avoid designating large portions of unused spectrum as a boundary between the services. President Obama, along with the country’s four primary wireless providers, agree that more of the wireless spectrum should be used to speed up internet service around the country, provide jobs, innovation and economic growth.

There has been no timetable set for resolution of this issue. The FCC hopes to find a way to allow LightSquared to provide cost-effective, high speed internet across the country. As of this moment, addressing the interference is a higher priority.

Article Written by Marisa O’Connor

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You’ve probably seen insurance advertisements that claim you can lower your monthly rate by installing a GPS tracker. Lowering your insurance rate is always a good thing, but at what cost? USA Today recently reported that some insurance companies may be selling this information to the U.S. Government. Further, according to the article, the government is considering making vehicle tracking mandatory for all U.S. drivers. Why would the government be interested in your driving habits? The answer is two-fold.

First, tracking your driving habits means that sending out violation tickets will become even easier for law enforcement.Second, this evidence can be used for — or against — you if an accident occurs.

Sure, the GPS tracking data that your insurer collects will be used to lower your rates (if you can play by the stringent rate lowering rules), but it is also used by police and government officials. Right now, you have the option to skip the installation of a tracker and go on paying regular insurance rates. But, this may not be a choice in the near future.

Presently, the U.S. Government requires that all long-haul vehicles be equipped with tracking devices. Soon, the government may require all regular vehicles to include tracking technology too.

If you’re tempted by offers of low insurance rates, read the fine print, and make sure that this data will not be used in any other manner. If you hardly ever get slapped with traffic tickets or find yourself in an accident, it may be best to skip those tempting insurance offers for the time being. Only time will tell if vehicle tracking will be mandatory a year or so from now.

Article Written by Harriette Halepis

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Twenty-nine Costa Rican Legislators got together in an unsuccessful attempt to remove GPS tracking devices, which are, for the moment, installed inside of their respective vehicles.  This is the third failed attempt at removing the devices.

Legislators feel they are above being tracked, since they are government representatives, but Juan Carlos Mendoza, Chairman of the Legislature, disagrees.  First and foremost, he says the GPS tracking units  are important to ensuring the safety of all government officials.

The legislature has also noticed a reduction in fuel consumption thanks to the GPS trackers, which has  helped the budget substantially.

Why would so many legislators complain about a device that’s saving the country money and keeping them safe?  Well, if you are one of those people who takes advantage of your company’s travel budget (by, say, treating your buddies to a night at the bar after dinner), you know why GPS trackers would pose a problem.

It’s safe to assume that a large majority of the twenty-nine legislative protestors led to the installation of the GPS trackers. Presumably, a vast majority of these people were not using government time or money wisely. Regardless, it  doesn’t take a genius to see how much this device has helped Costa Rica keep unnecessary expenses to a minimum.

Article Written by Khristen Foss

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by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

Everyone knows that government oversight of assets and processes often goes awry.  It’s no big secret.  But what is a big concern is that little or nothing seems to get done about it even after negligence is uncovered.

GPS & Government

That’s where GPS Tracking systems can come to the rescue for government entities.  Whether it is a local city or town, or a nation, assets can be tracked monitored at a moment’s notice to help keep track of them on a daily basis.

Here are the advantages that can be realized with GPS Tracking for government use:

Provides Location

Need to know where your assets are located in an instant?  The use of GPS Tracking systems in all government owned assets like vehicles can help provide the method by which a governing body can watch over the use of these units.

If you have assets that move about your governing district, you are vulnerable in two ways:  abuse and theft.  GPS Tracking defeats both.

Provides Direction of Travel

Need to know where your vehicle is travelling at a point in time?  GPS Tracking systems allow you to use a single PC to track each vehicle as it is en route to a destination.  Being able to know where a vehicle is going helps determine whether the use is proper and authorized or not.

Provides Speed

Abuse of government assets causes them to deteriorate sooner than otherwise would be the case.  GPS Tracking can be used to provide speed information to make sure that assets are not driven in a manner that is not only illegal, but harmful for the vehicle as well.

Provides Management Efficiency

Using GPS Tracking systems as a major management tool helps governments keep track of maintenance schedules with more accurate data.  Knowing when to bring units in for service is enhanced by taking into consideration not just the miles driven, but the terrain and road stress that daily use places on vehicles.

Provides Accountability

Governments are accountable to the people who elect the officials whose job it is to make sure that assets are being used properly.  Finding ways to do this more efficiently is what GPS Tracking is all about.

Rocking Mountain Tracking has the best line-up of GPS Tracking devices to meet any need.  Take a look at their products and options for the best fit for your business.  You will find knowledgeable sales persons in helping you get the best unit to meet your requirements.

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by James Neely - freelance writer

What better fit can be found than in state and local governments for GPS Tracking systems? The list of assets would go on and on, but there is no doubt that keeping track of them would be easier and less costly for tax payers.

With government vehicles, GPS Tracking systems can provide critical location information.
By installing these devices, tracking of assets can be performed without a connection to a battery or other power source. So if they do become disconnected, you will still have a signal from which a location can be determined.

There are two systems from which to choose. Real-time tracking provides instantaneous information about the location, speed and direction of travel. Plus you can obtain this data 24×7. The second system is a demand only system that can be used periodically to check location or to be able to download tracking information for monitoring and archiving purposes.

Pricing on these GPS Tracking devices is very affordable. Most only cost a few hundred dollars. This represents a small investment when compared to the need to contain and prevent loss as well as the man-hours required to keep track of the assets that are not outfitted. There are abuses and misuse of government property on a daily basis. Those who are in charge of these assets need to have the tools with which to be able to do their jobs.

Whether you are in a government department or a private sector company, accountability is not optional. Performance to guidelines is only part of the equation when it comes to personal responsibility. Those who are responsible must also be supplied with the correct tools to do the job. That is why GPS Tracking systems are a need and not an option. They have proven themselves in the efforts of keeping and recovering assets. These systems need to be a part of any governmental operations no matter who holds office at the time.

With GPS Tracking systems you get flexibility to fit the majority of assets, affordability to be able to fit any budget, and ease of use which makes them invaluable for governing bodies. More agencies need to know that they exist so that better care can be provided and costs can be kept in check. Doing so with a GPS Tracking system will be the best use of public funds to come along in a very long time. Make sure your government obtains these units soon.

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