Beijing's Plan to Track Cell Phones Raises Concerns cell pho
- 13 years ago
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Chinese authorities are planning to track the real-time locations of millions of cell phone users in Beijing. They say it's to monitor traffic congestion. But some are concerned that this kind of monitoring of citizens is an invasion of personal privacy.
Authorities in Beijing are planning to track more than 17 million people in the city via their cell phones, according to state-run media reports last week. The proposed plan is supposedly aimed at improving traffic management. But it's also sparking concerns over privacy issues.
Beijing is notorious for traffic congestion. An unnamed employee from Beijing's Municipal Science and Technology Commission told state-run China Daily the tracking plan would provide real-time traffic and population data—to help citizens plan better travel routes.
State-owned China Mobile reportedly came up with the idea. It will collect data on its 17 million users in Beijing, then give it to authorities for analysis.
Cell phone tracking technology is not new. But this would be the first time it's used to systematically monitor citizens on a broad scale.
Despite reassurances that data will not be misused, the tracking plan has raised privacy concerns. Some analysts believe authorities may use it to thwart protests and large gatherings.
The proposed tracking system is set to be in place by the end of June.
Chinese authorities are planning to track the real-time locations of millions of cell phone users in Beijing. They say it's to monitor traffic congestion. But some are concerned that this kind of monitoring of citizens is an invasion of personal privacy.
Authorities in Beijing are planning to track more than 17 million people in the city via their cell phones, according to state-run media reports last week. The proposed plan is supposedly aimed at improving traffic management. But it's also sparking concerns over privacy issues.
Beijing is notorious for traffic congestion. An unnamed employee from Beijing's Municipal Science and Technology Commission told state-run China Daily the tracking plan would provide real-time traffic and population data—to help citizens plan better travel routes.
State-owned China Mobile reportedly came up with the idea. It will collect data on its 17 million users in Beijing, then give it to authorities for analysis.
Cell phone tracking technology is not new. But this would be the first time it's used to systematically monitor citizens on a broad scale.
Despite reassurances that data will not be misused, the tracking plan has raised privacy concerns. Some analysts believe authorities may use it to thwart protests and large gatherings.
The proposed tracking system is set to be in place by the end of June.