European consumer groups want regulators to act against Google tracking
Heres one for you. Years ago, when realtime traffic data was released on maps, I had an argument with a friend. I claimed that the only way they could get that accuracy was by recording the cell data of every single android user and validate the (ever changing) coverage maps through those users with GPS enabled (say while using maps for directions). What had me convinced was that around that time in my city nobody used google maps, most were on low-end androids and few phones had GPS enabled as it would eat your battery. Yet the traffic stats were realtime and accurate. My friend refused to believe they would be brazen enough to do that.<p>I remain convinced I was right. But strangely enough - it didn't annoy me much. Because out of all the things they could have used that data, they went ahead and built an incredibly useful product by solving a difficult technical data-related problem and then made it public and free. Compare that with what your bank and telco are doing.<p>That said, Im not commenting on the ethics. Even with the opt in, people are not really aware their locations are being tracked. We don't know what the data is used for or who it's shared with (looking at you - NSA). It's a breech of trust. Though it will be a shame to see realtime traffic stats go down :P