Social aspects of location-monitoring systems: the case of Guide Me and of My-SOS

Abstract

What are the social implications of the new geo-information systems and location based services (LBS) that are becoming more and more widely used in modern society, and how are these aspects incorporated into the current development process of these products? Based on his experience as an industrial design engineer closely involved in the development of several LBS in the area of safety and security, and care and sports, the author describes the development of two LBS in which the Dutch research organization TNO has been involved. He analyzes the positive social implications of the systems, designed to improve the safety and independence of their users, as well as the potentially less positive rebound effects that they could bring about. The author finds that developers focus primarily on the positive effects to be gained from their new LBS, but don't pay conscious attention to the potential negative rebound effects of their inventions. Although many stakeholders are involved in the development and implementation of the LBS, none of these actors seems to be responsible for the deliberate monitoring of the social effects the new products will have. This leaves space for one of the present parties involved, or for a new organization not yet involved at this stage, to claim this responsibility for monitoring the social consequences of new LBS to be introduced on the market.