How do police build better speed traps? Well, in Europe, they buy GPS data from satellite navigation giant TomTom.
Some European police departments are getting tips for placement of traffic cameras, and those tips are coming right from inside the cars of drivers via their in-car TomTom GPS systems.
Dutch police said they obtained information from TomTom, a maker of popular satellite navigation devices, while setting up speed traps, prompting concerns by users and an email apology (as well as a YouTube response) from TomTom CEO Harold Goddijn.
Related: New phone apps help drivers evade police
George de Boer, TomTom Senior Manager, admitted the company sold users’ GPS data to police, but he said the company didn’t know police were using the information to ambush drivers.
"Our intent was to give that road data to authorities to make the infrastructure better and to make roads better, and to make traffic more safe."
Bernhard Jens, of Utrecht Police, told AP the data remained anonymous.
So far, there are no reports of North American police agencies using TomTom data to set up speed traps.
Outside of Europe, TomTom also sells GPS data to governments in the U.S. and Canada.
Ontario, for example, has used TomTom data in the past to refine evacuation plans for the city of Toronto, according to the Wall Street Journal.
TomTom says it'll be reviewing its policy on data sharing to better protect users' privacy in the future.
See the video report below:
(Amazing stuff TomTom, everyone stopped using your GPS units and you became that low.)
Ammar.Hasan
Wow... Thats pretty ed!
VDub
This is like 2 week old news bro...
Tom Tom has since stated that they stopped this practice...
E2EK1EL
^^^
Must be old, GF found it on the star today.
GGM
Corporation doing evil for a buck? Noooo neverrrrr...
rabbitjoker
I don't see why this is an issue. Selling randomized data is quite common - how do you think radio/tv stations get traffic data (cellular towers track speed of specific signals). No different than GPS data.
GGM
quote:
Originally posted by rabbitjoker
I don't see why this is an issue. Selling randomized data is quite common - how do you think radio/tv stations get traffic data (cellular towers track speed of specific signals). No different than GPS data.
The selling of it is ok. But cops using it for speed traps is brutal. Think about it as a TomTom customer you are paying money to a company who is then using you to make even more money by increasing the odds of you getting a speeding ticket?
rabbitjoker
quote:
Originally posted by GGM
The selling of it is ok. But cops using it for speed traps is brutal. Think about it as a TomTom customer you are paying money to a company who is then using you to make even more money by increasing the odds of you getting a speeding ticket?
If the police bought the data, I again see no difference.
E2EK1EL
quote:
Originally posted by GGM
The selling of it is ok. But cops using it for speed traps is brutal. Think about it as a TomTom customer you are paying money to a company who is then using you to make even more money by increasing the odds of you getting a speeding ticket?
TomTom and other companies scan GPS forums for new RLC and ST locations, we did a little test one day and placed a dumb location to get the verdict.
I've talked to 3 cops about this, they actually liked the idea since they consider it as a safety zone.
The worst speed trap is infamous trap heading into montreal on the highway or some off ramp. Every TO driver gets caught instantly on it. It's like that DVP off ramp for Richmond St, speed trap zoned @ 50 km/h and red light camera waiting for you.
rabbitjoker
There is even a company called Uber who is using this data to direct a livery service. Again, no problem at all with this.
slingshot
quote:
Originally posted by rabbitjoker
If the police bought the data, I again see no difference.
well, technically you're buying the data. the police are just an intermediary acting on your behalf. so the question becomes, is this the most efficient use of your dollar or could a better use be found?
