I Always Feel Like Somebody’s Watching Me….

Do you remember a time when every mobile phone call started with the obligatory, “Where are you?”. This was usually followed up with something equally interesting like “I’m on the train” or the ambiguous “I’m on my way!”. Yet the concern about a person’s whereabouts is dropping out of people’s mobile phone conversations, but why?

You say Tomato, I say Tomato…

The Americans make phone calls on their cell, a very apt name when you consider its power to steal our privacy and with it our freedom. Yes, the reason that people are no longer concerned with where you are is because they already know!

Of course, we sometimes allow our inner narcissist to “check in” at a five-star venue, just to ensure everyone knows we are having a good time, even if we are actually not. But what about the guy who recently walked into a Mcdonald’s restaurant, only to take out his phone and see the menu had spontaneously downloaded to his screen! Was someone watching him?

Google is a stalker!

It seems that Google is the perpetrator, the one who wants to know where we are at every twist and turn. Not only is it nosing into our whereabouts, it is also zapping away at our battery power! So what can be done?

Whilst, in theory, the solution could be simply to turn off the locations services of Google Play, this is easier than it sounds. The problem is that it is all or nothing! If you turn off the locations services for Google Play, you turn them off for all other apps.

Of course, it makes sense that Google Maps know about our location but why does Google Play want to know what we are up to, is it working for Big Brother?

It is hardly surprising that Google uses the constant tracking as a marketing ploy. So for example, if your phone registers in travel agents, you might find that throughout the day you are bombarded with foreign exchange apps or travel guides, yes it is exhausting but is there really another alternative?

Of course, you could turn your phone location services on and off throughout the day as required, but it could become a little irritating after a while. Logging off from life is becoming rapidly difficult and our lives are increasingly going online. Privacy controls are supposedly in place but with massive corporations holding all the cards, big brother is not only coming, he is already here.

Blackburn Alarms has been in the business for over 30 years and we recognise and understand the changes in our personal security during that time. If you have a question about your own cyber security, why not give us a call today and see how we can assist you.