tom tom sells driving habits to the cops

[derf]

Gives you the heebie geebies about the iphone thing that just came to light

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2384605,00.asp

TomTom has apologized for selling user data from personal navigation devices to police.
It wasn't exactly a surprise. When Netherlands-based TomTom reported weak first quarter earnings earlier this year, it said it would try to supplement earnings through certain methods like selling traffic data to governments.
But when Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad revealed that the information was obtained by Dutch police, who used it set targeted speed traps, people got upset.
But TomTom CEO Harold Goddijn said the company only had the best of intentions, because the company believes it "can help make roads safer and less congested.
"We are now aware that the police have used traffic information that you have helped to create to place speed cameras at dangerous locations where the average speed is higher than the legally allowed speed limit," he said in a mea culpa emailed to customers. "We are aware a lot of our customers do not like the idea and we will look at if we should allow this type of usage."
Goddijn said the data is collected anonymously and users have the choice to opt in or out at any time. The historical data is also collected in order to help give drivers the "fastest route available" and to "make roads flow more efficiently and safer."
Apple also said this week that it is tracking user data to create a 'crowd-sourced traffic database.' That admission was buried inside a statement Apple issued, regarding the allegations that the iPhone stores user location data. Similar to TomTom, Apple has been on the receiving end of customer backlash this week for how it deals with user data.

[Avatard]

Yeah, I saw this.

BTW; GEICO is another bunch of cunts. They actually buy radar guns for the cop shops.

[wildchild]

Originally Posted by Avatard

Yeah, I saw this.

BTW; GEICO is another bunch of cunts. They actually buy radar guns for the cop shops.

yep snapshot insurance means they're watching your driving with their little device.

[Particle Man]

I will keep my el cheapo GPS, thanks.

[shmike]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

I will keep my el cheapo GPS, thanks.

Me too.

[101lifts2]

....TomTom has apologized for selling user data from personal navigation devices to police.
It wasn't exactly a surprise. When Netherlands-based TomTom reported weak first quarter earnings earlier this year, it said it would try to supplement earnings through certain methods like selling traffic data to governments.
But when Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad revealed that the information was obtained by Dutch police, who used it set targeted speed traps, people got upset.
But TomTom CEO Harold Goddijn said the company only had the best of intentions, because the company believes it "can help make roads safer and less congested.....

Uh yeah....we believe you "had the best intentions"...really we do. Best intentions my black ass.

[jtemple]

Now, this TomTom thing is much more disturbing than the iPhone thing. A GPS records a lot more information about your location than the iPhone data does.

All the Apple haters are too busy bashing the iPhone around here to notice, though.

[Avatard]

Who are the Apple haters?

I have at least 10 Macs.

About half of them are running Windows...lol

[Avatard]

That's Progressive...but I suspect they're just as bad.

Here's a tip, kids; the ones with the cutest commercials are usually the most evil companies.