radimus

There is a bruhaha in New York with the plan to use GPS to track and log taxis in the City.  Many drivers are talking about striking and others aren't but they are all upset about it.  Their stated concerns are:

The issue over a driver's privacy is the driving issue in the debate, with a driver's location being tracked no matter where he or she goes.

"The Taxi & Limousine Commission wants to spy on drivers and they want drivers to pay for it," argues Desai.
Both sides agree the TLC uses satellite GPS technology to track everywhere a taxi cab goes and keeps a log of that information. The dispute is over how that information will be used and just who will have access to it.

Mateo says it's understandable that the taxis are fitted with the technology and adds it's even advantageous to each driver. "It indicates where you're located, you can see where you're going," he says.

But Desai says there is a different motive for the TLC to install the satellite. "They will use this information to decide on drivers' incomes," she says.

Sources within the TLC and individual taxi drivers tell CBS 2 that the GPS fears have nothing to do with privacy and everything to do with money. Many drivers fear the IRS will use the data to audit drivers and alert the INS about illegal immigrants driving cabs.

 

There are many similar concerns with the 'Black Boxes' installed in many newer cars.  How will this technology change the way people live their lives and conduct their business?

 

Link: http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_235170645.html

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psionandy

It all depends who controls the technology.. If it's your GPS then there's no problem. But If it your boss/government then I can see why you'd be concerned

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patrickj

Seems to me it is probably futile for them to resist. It's gonna happen - because of benefits to cab customers, drivers, and of course the bottom line.

I also feel like I can't work up too much sympathy for the drivers, since most of us who ever worked any sort of 'cubicle' job at any large corporate, know that there is no such thing as real privacy while you're being paid to be at work. The badges we carry and all sorts of 'over your shoulder' tracking of your PC usage / web browsing etc. ensure that.

radimus

I was just thinking on their concerns are all about protecting their possible abuses...

For example, Isn't there a real belief that cabbies might take you on the long route in order to rack up a larger fare. GPS tracking of their route could be used to show that trend.

The company could track the fare and distances traveled to see if the cabbie turned off the meter.

Their concern of illegal aliens being cab drivers SHOULD be looked at.

I'm just not feeling their pain.

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patrickj

Originally Posted by radimus

I'm just not feeling their pain.

Yup, same here. It just makes me recall large workplaces I've been in and people concerned about employers knowing all about your level of productivity etc. while at work. Most places I've seen, there is an in-built tolerance for a pretty healthy percentage of goofing off while at work. So it always struck me that the majority of people who got real worked up about it, were the ones who worked 20% of the time they were getting paid too.

Elrendhel

Originally Posted by radimus

Their concern of illegal aliens being cab drivers SHOULD be looked at.

I guess I don't understand what one has to do with the other...

Originally Posted by radimus

I'm just not feeling their pain.

My outside technicians have been stradled with GPS in their vans and trucks for the last few years. Anytime they strayed too far outside of their turf-area, the GPS cell would send their boss a SMS message, which *could* lead to disciplinary action depend on each case.

These same outside technicians make many statements about how unfair it is, and I can understand a great freedom (like taking your lunch time to go outside of your Turf and do some shopping at a distant mall), and then later losing that freedom, but since I have several limitations on my day as well, it makes it harder to commiserate with them...

The real complainers were the ones who would drive off to a parking lot and take a nap for most of their shift, or drive to their girlfriends and spend time with them. If you want to take time off of work to do these things, fine. If a nap is more important than your job, then quit your job.

But respect the rest of the hard-working public and quit your whinning...

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Pocketbrain

Yet another reason to get your own cab and your own medallion.

Of course, the owners of the cabs/service have a right to check up on their equipment; unauthorized side-treks will add miles, hours, and wear to a cab.

And of course the cabbies have the right to be concerned how their bosses are going to use this information... will they get penalized for a small diversion for coffee and bagels? Will the spouses be alerted when they take a wrong turn through a bad neighborhood (think: prostitution)?

Still, I think the cabbies should have the use of GPS systems for navigation/guidance; it saves time and money for everybody. Of course, just about any GPS navigation system can become a tracker; my simple Mapopolis program can track; I could even hide it somewhere in a car and follow the driver's moves, turn by turn.

Ain't technology great?

diducmeb4

Trucking companies have been using this for some time now. My opinion is that if you work for "the man" then you have to abide by his rules. If he want's to install a device to ensure an employee is doing his/her job and not costing the company money, that's their perogative. I suppose this might feel like an invasion of their privacy for the cabbies who haven't had to worry about being monitored. Don't we all who have internet access at the work place have to worry about our boss checking what we're doing and how much time we spend on the internet? If not, consider yourself lucky.