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http://mobilebusinessinsights.com/news/ntt-docomos-mobile-network-tracking-technology-raises-privacy-concerns/#prclt-cwsgqS1P
BOUT THE AUTHOR
Jonathan Crowl
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Reporter
Jonathan Crowl has served as a tech writer and reporter for a number of tech publications and corporations.
Specializing in mobile technology and digital startups, he is based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Japanese mobile operator NTT Docomo recently announced a new tracking feature on its mobile network that allows GPS tracking without user consent.
According to Digital Trends, the company’s hope is that the tracking-enabled mobile network will provide new opportunities to public services,
including the police, by expediting assistance in emergency situations.
However, private consumers are concerned that the new feature gives the mobile operator too much power.
Digital Trends explains that people are worried the location tracking capability could be used to collect
unauthorized data and use it for non-emergency purposes, infringing on user privacy rights.
Changing privacy regulations
In typical circumstances, mobile operators are only able to track smartphone user locations when users opt in to share the information.
NTT Docomo’s mobile network, on the other hand, now adds this tracking feature without consent.
This option was created last year when Japan’s mobile network rules changed,
but NTT Docomo is the first company to take advantage of it.
There are limitations to how Docomo can gather data and what the company can do with it.
However, given the high value of location information, consumers are understandably worried the information could be used in unauthorized ways.
Consumer advocates warn that the tracking feature is an invasion of privacy and that additional laws are needed to regulate the collection and use of data to keep companies from abusing that power.
Will users jump ship?
It’s unclear how NTT Docomo’s consumer base will respond.
The free market may see enough consumers move away from the brand,
thereby forcing the company to regulate itself and come back into compliance with consumer expectations about how data should be handled.
One interesting wrinkle is that all devices involved in the data tracking controversy have Android operating systems.
It’s unclear whether other popular operating systems are at risk of unauthorized data tracking or whether the technology prevents data collection without consent.
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