Internet probe can track you down to within 690 meters

1. Internet probe can track you down to within 690 meters

2. Summary • Yong Wang, a computer scientist at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, and colleagues at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, have developed a new method of tracking down internet users using the IP addresses of nearby businesses and landmarks. • Using this method a user can be located to within 690 meters and sometimes as close as 100 meters. • url: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20336-internet-probe-can-track-you-down-to-within-690-metres.html

3. 8-Steps • 1. This new tracking method traces an internet user to within blocks of his/her location. Is it right to give this kind of power to advertisers/companies/regular people? • 2. Advertisers would want to have this kind of technology in order to serve users with location appropriate ads. On the other hand, some internet users might not like the idea of Companies or 3rd parties being able to track them down that closely. Users might be worried about the security risks involved, concerned about people with malicious intent tracking them down and finding them. • 3. Possible outcomes: • A) Freely allow access to this technology • B) Only allow certain, certified companies access to this technology • C) Ban the technology completely • 4. I feel as though outcome B would be the most appropriate: • -It takes into account the goals of the advertising companies. • -It also take into consideration the needs and concerns of the users.

4. 8-Steps • 5. This solution is in accord with the companies goal of making money and providing users with the best and most appropriate ads. It is also in accord with the user’s interest in staying safe and anonymous on the internet. • 6. I feel as though this solution would be acceptable with all parties involved and produce the greatest good for the most number of people. • 7. I am comfortable with this solution and am willing to stand behind it with a clean conscience. • 8. I see this as a Pragmatist solution to the problem. It seeks to please the greatest number of people while minimizing bad results mathematically by limiting access to the technology to only those with legitimate intentions.

5. ACM code • This solution follows the ACM code of ethics. Specifically the General Moral Imperatives. • It seeks to protect others from harm . • It seeks to use this technology in a responsible way where it can contribute to society. • It seeks to protect the privacy of others by not giving out their locations to the wrong parties.