Sue H. Tracking Friends with Google

There is a new mobile device from Google called Google Latitude which tracks a user's movements through location-based technology. Once downloaded onto a mobile device the application will display the user's location on a map, allowing friends and family to know your every movement. Latitude is an opt-in only feature--meaning permission is required before your whereabouts are revealed. Along with location, friends can share other info by updating a status line or changing their picture. Google has incorporated several privacy settings--locations can be manually entered or completely hidden from other people. Users can also adjust the level of geographic info they are willing to share--exact street location for a close friend, city-level information for a boss or associate. Latitude users can also allow their location to automatically update every several minutes while they are moving. A Friends list appears with the map-- users can send text messages or call friends directly from the list, or even find local restaurants and theaters by utlizing a search box.