Utne magazine discusses privacy, security issues of cellular phones

Utne magazine looks at how cellular phones, including camera phones and phones with location capabilities, are used for surveillance, and the resulting privacy concerns.

“Social activists and civil rights experts are fearful that the ever-expanding use of cell phones –  especially those equipped with cameras — is chipping away at personal space and privacy,” the article says.

“If technology enables authorities to find out the location of murderers, it's not a stretch to think it could be turned on innocent citizens.  The information could be given to government agencies for investigations, or even to businesses for profit,” Utne says.

Ramifications

As you might have been reading, information about cellular subscribers has indeed been sold by companies and there now are criminal investigations underway.

Cellular technology — like all technology — is a moral two-way street.  Most people use it for good applications, but some do not.