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According to an article by the Associated Press, AOL in conjunction with a company called Skyhook have been building a database of locations linked to AIM users. This database is now being used for a feature that allows users with Wi-Fi enabled laptops to map the current locations of people on their buddy lists.

The fact that Skyhook has this information isn't anything new. They've been driving the streets of major cities for a number of years mapping Wi-Fi access points and detecting signal strength. Apparently, they have now over 16 million access points recorded from over 2,000 cities. What's new is that they're teaming up with AOL and using that info in conjuction with AIM. This will mean that some degree of privacy and anonymity with AIM users is compromised.

The Skyhook plug-in, available as a free download, adds a new grouping to AIM's buddy list window called "Near Me." That group will feature the names of any buddies who opt to share their locations and who are within a set distance from the AIM user.

Clearly AOL thinks that this will provide them a leg up in the IM wars. Marcien Jenckes who heads up the AIM division is convinced that this is functionality that IM users really care about.

"As we build these platforms for people to connect, we find that context is very important...people think through what's the right mechanism. It might depend on how much time I have to talk or how involved I want to be in the conversation or what I'm doing. Proximity or location is another one of those factors that will play an increasing role."

Mr Jenckes may be right but there some who are voicing big concerns regarding security and privacy. In my opinion, it depends on the implementation. If AIM users have the opportunity to opt into this feature as opposed to having it included by default, it's ok by me. After all, there are all kinds of information that we choose to make public that infringe upon our anonymity or privacy but we expose the information because we deem it beneficial to do so. The point is whether we have a choice.

Posted by andreyee in Privacy/Information Theft |Digg This|Add to del.icio.us

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