Google Earth: useful or dangerous?
November 12th, 2009 by CatI'm not sure how I feel about Google Earth, an application that allows you to view everything from galaxies to the canyons of the ocean — and even the front door of your home.
On the one hand, it's interesting — and amazing — to see such details, to wander the Earth from my laptop, to check out my old apartment in Evanston, Ill. from street level. (See Google Maps for street views.)
But is this getting a little Big Brother?
Now, Google is unveiling a location-awareness application — called Latitude — for your mobile device. This update will allow people to track where they've been and how long they've stayed in each location.
While this application will only be available to individual users and search histories can be deleted, there are some privacy concerns over the potential uses of this technology in company-provided devices or instances where people don't know they're being tracked.
When can we have just too much information?
Well, to ease your worry (maybe), Google Earth isn't always accurate, either.
Ever heard of Argleton in Lancashire, England?
It's on Google Earth — but not on the real planet.
Over the past week, British tabloids — and the entire blogosphere — has been buzzing about this phantom city, which is getting 25,000 hits a day. Google Maps even displays photographs of homes, restaurants and hospitals in the area.
So what do you think about Google Earth and the new app Latitude? Useful? Or dangerous in the wrong hands?
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Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at cat@thecatdish.com.
Tags: Argleton, England, Google, Google Earth, Google Maps, hawaii, Latitude, technology, toth
November 12th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Love Google Earth/Maps. Don't know how I navigated without it before. When I was in Europe in small Italian towns, it was wonderful to pull up a map and see exactly where I needed to go on my phone. I even use it for information for my phone. Just enter in a business name. Not only does it show the location, but phone number as well.
The key word in your statement above about the tracking device is "potential," when you alluded to its "potential use." So as of now, it's not an invasion of privacy.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Not to sound guilty, but realistically, doesn't it leave room for misinterpretation. Much like your significant other reading your texts and misinterpreting a message. I see that this will be a strain on many relationships in the future.
I thought google earth was very interesting. But honestly, I only used it once or twice and never had the urge to use it again. I guess I'd rather see the place in real life. But who knows, maybe I just didn't give it a fair chance.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I would make a comment about Google's carbon footprint but I fear them more than the freemasons, the illuminati and Mufi winning the governorship.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
@ Chad Y -- I link Google Earth in with Google Maps, which I think was Cat's intention as well... so in that sense, I think Google Maps/Earth as a single concept is widely used. I rarely use the "Earth" feature as well, and agree about the "being there" aspect as well... but the core Maps app of Google is what one of the five, single-most powerful, new technologies in use today.
November 12th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Maybe we can find which galaxy Rosette lives in.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Map makers, dictionary publishers, etc. often will put fake locations, words in to their publications as an anti-piracy measure. If the fake location or work shows up in another publisher's work, they'll know where it came from.
From my understanding, google's street view isn't real time and is a couple of months old. Some of the satellite views of my neighborhood are at least a few years old.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
The internet is dangerous in the wrong hands.
A vehicle is dangerous in the wrong hands.
Can't live without 'em. I have been using Street View to check out specific locations and landmarks before I leave on my vacation. It helps when trying to find a hotel or restaurant in an unfamiliar city or when driving on a remote country road.