First, Google was everywhere. Now it feels like Big Brother is, too.
Google Latitude launched recently in 27 countries, including Canada, and will be available to anyone who has a mobile device that can run Google Maps for mobile. The service allows the user to automatically provide chosen family or friends with their current location. Google Latitude can range from a few metres to several thousand metres, depending on whether it can use a phone’s GPS capabilities or must triangulate based on information broadcast from cell towers or Wi-Fi access points.
Despite some flurry of interest among mobile users, Google immediately received complaints from experts who worried about the privacy implications. Where’s Waldo, Carmen Sandiego and J.D. Salinger refused comment at press time.