October 18, 2007 - There are more ways to track people these days than we can count. Cell phones have GPS. So do many cars. But now there is a new product that allows virtually anyone to track the movements of anybody else clandestinely. And if that's not enough to make you sit up and take notice, then perhaps this will. The product integrates seamlessly with Google Earth. Oh, and did we mention that it's relatively cheap?

The Super Trackstick is a device about the size of cell phone. It has two magnets on its back so it can easily be attached to metal objects, like the frame of a car. Once attached, it can record a person's movements for months at a time and various versions of the product allow for a variety of power sources. These include simple AAA batteries to hard wiring right into a car's electrical system.

The way the product works is very simple. It receives GPS signals from a system of 24 earth orbiting satellites belonging to the US government. It records its position, along with altitude, temperature and some other data at preset intervals. This data is then stored until the unit can be connected to a computer.

Tracksticks to not allow for real time monitoring. This means that nobody can attach one to your car and then watch you in real time as you drive. Somehow or another, the Trackstick must eventually be connected to a computer and its memory downloaded. Once that occurs though, your exact movements (or rather, those of whatever the Trackstick is attached to) can be played back on Google Earth.

Trackstick's price is very reasonable. Depending upon model, between $150 and $300. There are no monthly fees. This means that once someone purchases it, there is no record of how they are using it.

The company selling Trackstick has made a version that it is marketing sales organizations. It includes mileage recording for sales calls, which is a real benefit. But the company doesn't hide the fact that it is targeting Homeland Security and private investigation applications either.

The current version of the Trackstick is large enough so that it would be difficult to hide it directly on a person. For instance, you couldn't sew it into someone's clothes, or even the lining of a purse. We suspect that this will eventually change however.

The problem with Trackstick's and other products like them is that as with any tool, they can be used for good or bad. It would be very easy for someone to use one of these devices to stalk someone. Not only do consumer's need to be aware of the fact that such devices exist, but legislators need to seriously look at updating laws that deal with privacy, stalking and cyber-crime and place some limitations on their use.

by Jim Malmberg

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