Critics: New Google App Gives Abusers Too Much Latitude

by Wendy Davis, Feb 6, 2009, 7:00 AM

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The watchdog group Privacy International is sounding an alarm about Google's new phone tracking system, Latitude.

"As it stands right now, Latitude could be a gift to stalkers, prying employers, jealous partners and obsessive friends," Simon Davies, director of Privacy International, said in a new report.

Google's Latitude, unveiled this week, allows users to track other people via smartphones. The feature comes with some built-in privacy protections. Among others, users must opt in to the service, and even after enabling the feature, retain control over which of their contacts can track them.

But Privacy International says the system has a design flaw: Other people can get their hands on users' phones, and then change the settings. For instance, the group said, a phone left in a repair shop could be secretly enabled. Or someone could give another a Latitude-enabled phone as a gift.

"Once the phone has been enabled, the second party will be able to mask his phone's presence, thus ensuring that the victim is unaware that her phone is being tracked," the group said in its report.

"Many people will see Latitude as a cool product, but the reality is that Google has yet again failed to deliver strong privacy and security. The company has a long way to go before it can capture the trust of phone users," Davies said.

The group suggested that Google send regular messages to users telling them that their phones are Latitude-enabled. Currently, Google sends such messages to BlackBerry users who don't log in. A Google spokesperson said the company intends to expand that feature to other types of smartphones.

"We already have a safety feature working on certain mobile devices that actively alerts users that Latitude is running and we are in the process of extending this notification to other mobile platforms supporting Google Latitude, which will be ready in the very near future," the company said in a statement.

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0 comments on "Critics: New Google App Gives Abusers Too Much Latitude".

1. Rosalyn Gaztambide from MasAlladel.com
   

   commented on: February 6, 2009 at 7:16 a.m.

   It is a GREAT concept.

   Now, couldn't it be done the other way, where people can view when an offender with electronic devices are within the perimeter and can be warned and tracked?

2. David Berkowitz from 360i
   

   commented on: February 6, 2009 at 8:25 a.m.

   This is ridiculous. The fear is someone at a repair shop stalking you by installing Latitude and approving you as your friend? It's a little far-fetched. What if Al Qaeda steals your phone, turns it into a bomb, and triggers it when you walk into a shopping mall?

3. Jamil Thompson from PHD
   

   commented on: February 6, 2009 at 9:59 a.m.

   The cited examples of potential faults with this app are ridiculous;do people accept phones from other people that they marginally trust as gifts and furthermore use them (especially if it's unpackaged as it would have to be if tampered with)? I think not. I think the simple 2.0 patch here is to allow folks with latitude enabled to see who is specifically tracking them whenever they want to and cut their ability to do so.

4. Nematolah Kashanian from Arkitech
   

   commented on: February 6, 2009 at 11:26 a.m.

   This app is very very secure, some people just can't seem to think. If you don't want people to see where you are, you don't give them permission, it is that simple!!!!

5. Nematolah Kashanian from Arkitech
   

   commented on: February 6, 2009 at 11:28 a.m.

   Simon Davies is Totally WRONG! I think you should ask him to use the app first before he makes any more comments on its security.

6. Paul Hollowell from Charlotte Russe Holdings, Inc.
   

   commented on: February 8, 2009 at 12:52 a.m.

   Completely absurd arguments. The potential abuses are so far-fetched, they border on comical.

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