We Should Be Slacking on the Tracking

In this day in age, people use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in everyday living. It is perfectly normal to see people using a GPS in their vehicles, on their phones, or even to add the location on a tweet. However, the problem comes in when these systems become the primary tool for vicious acts such as stalking. The invention of the GPS has been a dream come true to man, but it is important that we control its use so it does not become a nightmare as well.

            According to Erik Eckholm’s article “Personal Use of GPS Trackers Growing Fast”, the personal use of GPS trackers is growing at an alarming rate. These trackers were once only used by Police for tracking criminals. Now, every day consumers are buying GPS trackers. There are some very beneficial uses for GPS trackers. For example, if you are a worried adult whose elderly parents have dementia and constantly get lost, it can be just what the doctor ordered. These devices become an issue when suspicious partners begin using them to track their spouses, or crazed lovers use them as stalking devices. Sadly, consumers are not the only problem at hand. According to an article by John Quain, even internet domains, such as Google and Face Book, are using digital surveillance to view users personal information. The ludicrous thing about it all is that legislation was passed so that Police Officers had to get warrants before utilizing GPS trackers. If law enforcement needs special permission for these devices, why should regular civilians have such easy access to them?

            I am sure that we all can agree the GPS has revolutionized society in many ways. Thanks to the devices we can now find our way to an address we have had no prior knowledge o simply by entering a few words and numbers. However, I am also sure that no one wants to live in a world where a father is scared for his daughter because some obsessed teenager has placed a tracking device inside her car’s bumper.  I believe GPS trackers should be limited to certain trust worthy individuals, such as law enforcers, care takers of dementia patients, etc. However, it does not stop there. According to an article on GPS Tracking News, the use of GPS tracking on cellular devices has been rapidly increasing. Therefore I believe cellular devices should come with certain restrictions to the GPS software. The point of it all is that the use of GPS Trackers needs to be controlled; in other words “We should be slacking on the tracking “!