Amazon Gets Big Brother Patent That Could Track Your Mall Movements
- Posted on December 15, 2011 at 9:53am by
Liz Klimas
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There is a new player in the ever controversial location tracking game. Amazon gained patent for a program that would track where users go with mobile devices and use such information to predict where they’ll go next in order to best target them with personalized ads and coupons, according to CBS MoneyWatch (via CNET).
Erik Sherman for CBS reports that Amazon joins Google, Apple and Microsoft with its patent that went through last week. Sherman has more on what Amazon’s program would do:
The system calculates a path and then predicts a set of likely next destinations. Then the system takes bids from third parties that want to send marketing messages to displays along the route the person takes, probably monitoring speed and direction to time displays for maximum chance of visibility.
Additional claims make clear that the ad could also go to the mobile device — including a message to tell the person to look over at a particular display. Shades of a science fiction story (or Minority Report), where personalized ads follow and appear on public displays wherever you go.
Sherman reports that in tracking location, this could mean specific stores inside of a mall. (Earlier this year two malls tracked smartphone signals to evaluate customers movement through the mall and what they seemed to like/dislike.)
Amazon’s patent states “mobile device users’ current and past travel patterns may be analyzed to determine a predicted next destination. For instance, by analyzing the recent movements of a mobile device user among stores in a shopping mall, it may be determined that a particular store is a predicted next destination for the mobile device user.”
Amazon gives the example of providing coupons, or the like, if the program senses a person is in a certain store. As Sherman sums it up, here’s where it gets a bit creepy:
Location ties to function. If you know what sort of establishment is at a spot, you can start to make more intelligent guesses of what a person is doing. The more stops, the more chances of putting together a picture of what a person is doing. And if you store this data over time, you might build a more complete picture.
Now consider where the ads might show up. It’s not hard to imagine Amazon trying to partner with retailers that have TVs, computer monitors, digital signs, or other ways of displaying advertising.
Amazon’s approach is more sophisticated than the usual proximity marketing, where a person’s location would trigger messages for nearby businesses. Maybe GPS provides the location, or maybe cell tower triangulation, according to the patent.
Sherman reminds us that this is just in a patent stage and that there is the possibility that the company may never decide to create and use the program.
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Comments (79)
flatbroke
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 6:20pmI knew there was a reason i did not like malls.
Report Post »g00gle-expert
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 6:18pmA little here and little there. No one seems to care. One day you will wake up and ask yourself, how could this happen in America? But you do know its for your own good. After all, all of these companies and our government only care about whats best for you. Not control nor money. HAHAHAHAHA Your great grandchildren will know no better. It will just be the way things are.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 4:26pmtwo things will hinder their progress.. I TURN off my phone and I DON’T shop in MALLS so lots of luck with that.they already send my emails when I order something and try to sell me something similar.. I delete them without even opening them.. when I want something I go to them I don’t need them coming to me or using my time to read their advertising… Just like I DON’T ask my doctor for any drugs advertised on television and refuse to sue them NOR do I go to any hospital because it was advertised.. actually my doctor says there are 2 kinds of people with the drug/hospital advertising ones who WANT it and DON‘T need it and those that already KNOW the side effects and WON’T take it.. Truth be told I’d rather have someone know where I shop then THE GOVERNMENT know my medial history.. chances of surviving the first one are better than the ladder one . LOL..
Report Post »CanadaKen
Posted on December 17, 2011 at 4:52amIs this true?
Report Post »Turning your cell phone off will not keep it from tracking you. You must remove the power source,(the battery) to shut it down, or place it in a tactical cell phone security case.
garbagecanlogic
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 2:46pmFortunately, I do not have to worry about this. I am one of those rare birds who only needs a cell phone to call, or receive calls. Not some little kiddie who needs all the aps and latest phones/ipads. I feel for those who have to have the latest technology and don’t know how to figure things out for themselves.
The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
Report Post »The U.N. Out Of The U.S.
aLinedog
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 4:09pmYou said it brother. I avoid GPS devices like the plague and don’t even own a landline anymore. Pay as you go phones are a god-send. Do I have a reason to hide? Not yet, but my Constitutional views make me a prime target for the police state. Easier to keep the habit than try to predict the day when I’ll wish I was harder to locate.
Report Post »Latter-Day-Soldier
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 5:06amA buddy of mine just got a new “smart” phone, aside from calling and texting….he spends a considerable amount of time playing “Angry Birds” on it.
Report Post »dnha14
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 1:14pmThis is making the Gene Hackman character in “Enemy of the State” look less and less crazy. This is just creepy. Amazon, shame on you.
Report Post »BubbaCoop
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 12:38pmCell phone goes off in the mall from now on. Of course I rarely go to the mall.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 12:24pmOffering a good or a service is one thing… following me around and tracking my every move is nothing short of STALKER-ish.
We need a restraining order for Big Government & Big Business.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 1:01pmNobody forced you to buy that new whizz bang cell phone, guy. The only person who made that decision, was you. If you don’t like the terms of service, cancel your contract and throw the electronic leash in the trash. There is no “law” needed here, you already have complete control of the situation all by your lonesome.
Report Post »rpp
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 3:02pmHey Ghost, my employer requires that I have a smart cell phone, they actually issue it to me and pay the bill, as a condition of employment. I do not really have a choice.
As for those of you who are focusing on malls, this technology will follow you ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE, not merely at the mall.
Keep your location information off.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 3:05pmwhat the hell are you talking about Ghost, this is not from the cell phone company, which we all know any cell phone can be triangulated between cell towers and your location determined, but generally a court order is needed or a reason for law enforcement to do so.
This is a third-party company creating software to track you inside a mall without your permission and until now without your knowledge. I do believe this would violate the right to privacy.
I will be turning off my cell phone from now on when I go shopping or leave it in my car.
Report Post »Carl McPherson
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 3:14pmYep Ghost… exactly what I plan on doing.
Report Post »aLinedog
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 4:18pmGhost is correct, however.
Report Post »Boycotting said devices is a LOT more effective than legislation. Legislation simply allows loopholes for the Feds and ‘connected’ people to use as they see fit. If the people purchase the items, they will be created. If people refuse the items, the company will not make them as it becomes cost-prohibitive. If people choose to wear chains for the sake of comfort, convenience, or safety then you cannot legislate their liberation. Well, you can but it won’t do any good.
-line
“You determine your own level of involvement…” -Tyler Durden, Fightclub
“Who loves you and who do you love!?” -Killian, The Running Man
aLinedog
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 4:22pmAuthors note: Disregard the ‘however’ in the opening line of my last. I was working on two things simultaneously and my mind crossed wires. My bad.
Report Post »dlivelli
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 12:22pmAll this tracking garbage makes me wonder. If some entity can “legally” track where I am at any time, and we can track a package anywhere in the world from your home computer, then why is it that we don’t know where the illegal aliens are? Why is that an invasion of privacy? Why don’t they track people that are on the terrorist list etc? And with all the online and instant ability to see where your money goes through your bank account….I mean you can see within a minute when you use your debit card…why is it that Corzine the crook “lost” 1.2 Bil? Madoff went down and rightfully so, why is corzine still wanking the streets? I would take EVERY PENNY HE HAS TO PAY PEOPLE BACK! This guy IMO is a cheat, thief and liar who needs a looooong vaca in the federal Hilton! All expenses from which he should have to WORK off! Bang out those license plates big jon!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 12:20pmIf you’re going let a computer run your life…a computer will run your life. We have computers at work and at home, do we really need one strapped to our hips?
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 12:26pmSeriously.
High technology is the only chain we willingly put on ourselves and embrace. It’s a shame how most folks have convinced themselves of how necessary it all is, when in fact, it is not.
It’s fun, entertaining and fine in a grounded context. Letting it take over pretty much all aspects of your life out of some ill perceived “need” however, is unhealthy.
Nobody has anything that important to say or “text” that it demands that they carry these devices 24/7. Unless you’re a professional on-call with a mandated phone, you simply have no real need of these electronic leash system. Put the phones down, turn them off, walk away and enjoy life that doesn’t involve “Angry Birds” people. You’ll feel great, I promise!
Report Post »Latter-Day-Soldier
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 5:14amTry to separate my friend from his “Angry Birds” and you’ll think the Arab Spring was a peaceful demonstration.
Report Post »I’ll stay with the wal-mart straight talk phones, cheaper on the monthly expenses and one less electronic shackle.
DEITY
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:59amAll GM products have tracking and OnStar listens to your in car conversations !
All new cars have black boxes,ford spies on you like GM !
Thats why I drive a classic car,take the battery out of my cell and credit cards with chips stay at home until needed (if ever).When we get a chip in our drivers license,a good smack with a hammer will fix it.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 12:07pmBuy a muscle car they are more fun to drive and ****** liberals off for added fun
Report Post »4-The-Truth
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:51amThe mobile tracking device they are talking about s your GPS enabled cell phone. The hidden rootkit that you can’t opt out of is “Carrier IQ” and it is already on most newer cell phones. Carrier IQ admits it is tracking your GPS location as well as the web pages you visited. Some think the FBI is using Carrier IQ data. Now all Carrier IQ needs to do is sell this info to Amazon to pay for all their class action law suits for violating Federal Wire Tapping Laws. Root your phone and get rid of this spyware now. You are already being tracked.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 12:04pmPlus they actually charge you to track you but you can ask your service to turn the GPS off and save
Report Post »shandog
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:44amSimple solution..don’t use cell phones or buy a burn phone. You really don’t need all the other crap.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:33amThis has been going on for some time that’s how they give you the suggestions on the page when you return to their sit or go back to the cover page
Report Post »Brizz
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:47amI’ll give Amazon a freebie, I won‘t be buying anything else from Beck’s 1791 supply & co.
FYI… Beck fans
The 1791 supply & co zip up hoodie is way overpriced for the cheap material. Ordered mine the 1st day it was up on the web, just got it, and what a major let down. Maybe they could’ve just sent me the patches so I could sew them on myself. What a bunch of crap for $65!
Miami
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:55amIts a free market, you can do as you please unlike Socialist Progressives who want to force you to buy what they want.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 12:11pmDo you really need to spam the whole sit with lies?
Report Post »Brizz
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 1:14pmJust a fair heads up for fellow Blazers. What‘s really sad is how you think I’m lying just because it isn’t very flattering for Beck. Spend your money however you’d like, I’m not an anti-capitalist. In fact, quality is all part of whether a company will sink or swim.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 1:52pmNo becuse you’ve spamed every posting and if it was so poor why did you not just return it???
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 3:13pmBRIZZ, since we know you are a TROLL and probably a LIAR. Please take a picture and post a link so we can go to see for ourselves that you 1. bought the hoodie 2. you are actually wearing it. Until this happens, I will take it that you are blowing smoke out your __________________.
Some people just can’t learn.
Report Post »Brizz
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 3:25pmWow, now I’m a troll?! How about a picture of the inside label from the hoodie, which cannot be found on the web, as proof?
Report Post »lembrandt
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:20amThis is pure evil…
Report Post »Countrygirl1362
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:29amIs not the government already tracking us though our cell phones?
Report Post »JEANNIEMAC
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:19amKeep your credit cards in a special wallet that does not allow RDID snooping. Put the battery into your cellphone when you want to make a call or check your incoming calls. Double check privacy setting on your social networks and put nothing important in there. Use privacy setting when browsing and clear history, cookies, etc. often. Use search engines that do not record IP of your computer.
Report Post »With the technology the government has, this is about all we can do.
Freedomtothink
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:23amLots of people use prepaid debit cards to buy stuff online.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:29amLean how to change you IP address. By old computers and salvage their IP.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:36am@Teamarches
Dude, your IP for the internet is assigned as you connect to the internet and depends entirely on your service providers assigned subnet range of dynamic IP’s. If you have a static IP, it’s for internal networks only, probably in the 192.168.*.* range.
Report Post »Freedomtothink
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:42amGo to:
Report Post »http://whatismyipaddress.com/
Freedomtothink
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:48amBuying an older computer can protect you from spyware if you clean the application folders properly and turn off reporting features…
Report Post »CanadaKen
Posted on December 17, 2011 at 8:00pmRFID Blocking+Cell Phone +ID Card Blocking Bag
RFID Blocking Card Sleeves
Report Post »JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:17amLooks like I will be leaving my cell phone home a lot more. Track that!
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:34amJust remove the battery. Use ATM machines to get cash and buy with cash. Pre-paid debit cards you purchase in stores do not contain private info. Remember every phone call you place even at pay phones are being recorded and stored. We leaned during the Tanya Harding Olympic incident that her use of pay phones before the crime was committed were recorded. How can the government record phone calls before a crime?
Report Post »Skippy Toes
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:41amYup.I NEVER take my phone with me when I go to ANY store.
Report Post »mjhoman
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:50amAnyone who subscribes to cable, dish, cell phones, or uses the internet knows they are advertising mediums. You agree to receiving ads by signing on, and using them. The choices you have are to turn them off, get rid of them, or put up with it. All of these devices are designed around their uses for advertising. Take television… lots of reruns, many useless channels, and pretty much crap… but lots of commercials repeated, over and over, and over again. Not only do we pay for ( no choice) in programming, whether there are 12 channels or 1200 crappy channels, we have to endure the 8 to 10 commercials every couple of minutes. Because enough people do not complain, unsubscribe, and just have to have the next new electronic fade as it comes on the market, that is what you have. If more people showed these companies how they felt, instead of just paying for them, they would lose money and make changes, or go out of business. So my point is… just like politics, if we sit by and say and do nothing, you can not expect anything to change. Busineses are out to make money, and more money. Anyone who does not understand how technology is being used like cookies, spyware, etc. and future new ways used to track our every move on websites and products we look at… better start waking up. If businesses could make clothing that had flexible video billboards on them, people would buy them. The businesses would pay the individuals to advertise on their clothing. :-)
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:18amSome political groups are beginning to meet in Mall Food Courts to prevent government from detecting their existence. All members need do is buy something to eat, sit at the same table and no one notices. With this new technology, large groups of people sitting in the same area will identify a meeting. The Government, all Government is as war with us now.
Report Post »Forced_Union_Worker
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:31am@teamarcheson:
That is exactly how the American revolution started. People met in taverns to plan the revolt. No one payed them any attention, but if they had met in homes they would have been arrested.
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:32amI’ll bo powering mine off before hitting the mall…
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:59amPowering off you cell phone does not power it off. You must remove the battery. A cell phone is always on because the system must always adjust the power level of the phone depending where it is located within the system. This is how it works. Actually, law enforcement has equipment that permits them to turn on the cell phone mic so your conversation can be monitored even though the phone is off. Remove the battery.
Only the TEA can set you free now.
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:15amAnd it looks like you can get a cheap case to block the signals as well. That looks like the way to go…
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:22amIts is no easy blocking out the signal. The cell phone frequencies are close to microwave and these signals can penetrate small cracks and seams. Pulling the battery is more reliable, better yet, leave the phone in the car or at home.
Report Post »g00gle-expert
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 6:19pmTHX-1138, great name amazing movie!
Report Post »stefon
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:15ambig brother the blaze is big brother get out why you can or use someone else’s computer to log on here it is a communist trap we know what you are doing
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:24amThis is pure evil. How long now before the chip is mandatory and the government uses this technology to track you.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:05amA law mandating new born babies receive a chip may pass this year or next. Remember the chip would be to protect the children by monitoring their vital signs and detect accidents and child abuse. Chips are already being placed in pets, horses, cows, etc.
If a chip was secretly planted into you baby, how would you even know it? It may already happening. These chips are small and the insertion is done with a large needle and could be injected along with the new born inoculations mandated by law.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:27amOld computers will not have this technology and will be safe to use. Don’t throw away you old computers. You can be traced back though your friend. You can communicate using fax machines, cb radio, or shortwave. Government attempts can be thwarted easily, the Polish Solidarity prevented the Polish Communist Government from shutting it down, and we are smarter.
Only the TEA can save you now.
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:14amThe smarter the phone, the dumber you’ll end up.
Report Post »Ballzonya
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:12amOMG IT MUST BE A LIBERAL PLOT!
Conservatives don’t know how to use smart technology anyway. Ever seen those 9/12 sites? Ugg. Turn off the comic sans-serif font you blockheads.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:43amAll those words and you contributed nothing of value, neither sweetness nor light. Imagine how much better you could have spent your time in helping other people, instead of simply sneering insults to make yourself feel good.
The solution to this technological spying is easy: Don’t use cell phones or texters.
A better solution that has more impact and is far more American in spirit: Start a cell phone company/manufacturing facility that makes non-trackable devices and loudly advertises this as a feature.
Report Post »Ballzonya
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:52amGhost, that could be said for 99% of the garbage posted here.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:58amAnd I’ve pointed it out to others as well, from all sides of the political spectrum.
Saying “but they’re doing it too” is a logical fallacy and has nothing in it to excuse acting that way yourself. This used to be standard “mom wisdom”.
By the way, as somebody NOT on the left, I was in the EFF from the 1990′s, and I’m also extremely technologically savy (I write in several programing languages, including C, C++, VB.NET, Java, and so on). I don’t have to find an “app for that”, I can create one. :)
Report Post »JustPeachy
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:02amGhost, I like your suggestion about offering cell phone and other devices WITHOUT tracking–but then people may not trust them anyway. All should probably come with an “opt in” or “opt out” feature–or if it’s a real concern we can leave cell phones at home, shut them off, or not use them at all. We do still have a FEW choices left us. ;-)
Report Post »rwandrw
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:08amwhere do I sign up?? coupons sent to my phone as I walk around a mall?? Love it!!! offers as I drive around? YES!!!
OH PS if you don’t’ want the anyone to track your phone,,JUST TRUN IT OFF!!!
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:06amBoycott Amazon for supporting Big Brother.
Take a stand for liberty, people.
Do it for your kids and grandkids.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:44amAgree. And I’d add boycott cell phone companies/devices that employ tracking chips that allow personal identification by random strangers. Keep in mind a simple antenna signal identifier is not personally identifying. But if it knows enough to direct you towards tailored markets, then it has identified you at a personal information level.
Report Post »ZomBrad
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:06amThis is yet one more reason I don’t use cell phones…….my original reason being, they’re annoying as hell….
Report Post »Seagal45
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 6:34pmZombrad you hit the nail on the head. I have one that I use only when traveling in case of an emergency and the rest of the time it sits at home. I’ve seen people sitting in the same room and texting each other. One of those things that makes you go “huh”??
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 9:57am“Minority Report” is coming.. the advertising part.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:00amMinority Report is here.
The TSA Vipr Teams are coming.
The NAZIS Are coming.
The NDAA Bill = the USSA.
Report Post »