GPS Tracking

Although the use of GPS tracking technology has become widespread and widely acclaimed, the issue of privacy continues to be dissected and debatedThis is especially notable when it comes to tracking teen driving habits.  The majority of parents testify in favor of GPS vehicle tracking devices.  They acknowledge that the installation of this unit in their teenager’s car has given them greater peace of mind while making their teen driver demonstrate more responsibility behind the wheel, thereby keeping him or her safe.  Many teenagers on the other hand, tend to view GPS tracking as a manipulative means of controlling their actions and invading their privacy, putting a decisive spin on the term “generation gap”. 

Steve Moehling, Vice-President of Sales, LandAirSea Systems, Inc., was recently interviewed by a senior at St. Petersburg High School regarding the effectiveness of his company’s most popular product, the GPS Tracking Key

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1. Do you think that GPS devices are an invasion of privacy? Please elaborate.
Like many electronic devices, GPS tracking devices can be abused.  The purpose of our devices, as well as the most common uses, are for safety and productivity monitoring.  Our largest application for these devices are companies monitoring productivity and job costing. The electronic/information age has not only ushered in an incredible amount of convenience, but creates an environment that can be abused.  This is true regarding many of today’s modern conveniences.  The same question can be asked about camcorders, tape recorders, computers, cell phone monitoring/tracking, etc.  All of these devices have the potential of being abused.  LandAirSea GPS devices are also widely used by law enforcement and have aided in the investigation of armed robberies, drug related cases and even a murder.  This evidence is admissible in court and has become a valuable tool for law enforcement.

2. What are the psychological effects of the invasion of privacy on teenagers?

It’s only natural to want privacy and to be independent and I can understand how many teenagers may consider tracking by their parents to be intrusive. Yet statistics show that the number one cause of teenage deaths is automobile accidents.  Reckless driving and lack of judgment contribute to these statistics.  As a concerned parent myself, I have found these tracking devices extremely helpful—not as a “spying” tool, but a source of validation and comfort.  For example, when I discovered that my son was driving our vehicle in excess of 90+ mph, I confronted him—not to show him that I was in control, but because I didn’t want him getting killed.  This may sound phony, but if teens understand that a GPS tracking device is installed in their car out of love and concern, rather than suspicion and doubt, a stronger foundation of trust can be built.   Trust and honesty are a two way street. Viewed in a positive vein, GPS tracking can be used to verify innocence rather than expose guilt.

3. How are consumers guaranteed the safety of the information concerning the whereabouts of their children?

The majority of devices sold by LandAirSea Systems are passive.  This means that the memory of the devices are stored internally and controlled by the user.  Real-time systems transmit data to a secure server and the data is encrypted.  I would be more concerned about the safety of information when a person is on the internet.  What information is being extracted from your computer? Who else is seeing your webcam? What about your credit cards/bank cards? Who or what company is tracking your purchases each time you swipe your card?

4. What is the satisfaction rate of GPS devices?

The satisfaction rate of our devices are incredibly high.  We have less than a 1% return rate.  We sell a limited number of our passive tracking devices on eBay.  There are 1000+ feedback and we have a satisfaction rate of 99.8%.  As a matter of fact, there were only two negative feedback comments and they were related to shipping and the fact that our software did not work with Macintosh.

5. In some cases GPS devices have been found to cause parents to stop communicating openly with their teens. What is your response to this issue?

I would find it hard to believe that the GPS would be the cause of this lack of communication.  I would be interested in seeing any information you can provide that specifically addresses this.  Being in this market, I see almost everything related to press (both positive and negative).  This would be a first in fourteen years.  Could the lack of communication been caused by a disagreement on what the tracking information revealed? 

6. What type of complaints do you get about GPS devices from parents?

With the satisfaction rate identified above, we do not hear many complaints.

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Tags: GPS Tracking, Interview, Teen Driving

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 at 2:04 pm and is filed under GPS Tracking, Teen Driving. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.