Give Google an inch....

Google has recently released a new application called Google Latitude.  Latitude allows Google users to track where their friends, family, and other Gmail contacts are through using Google Maps.  Google has a YouTube video explaining what Latitude is and how it works:



Google Latitude gets a little too personal for me.  While a user can adjust the privacy settings so that only your general whereabouts are known, Latitude just seems really creepy to me.  If my friends want to know where I am, I would prefer them calling me.  Furthermore, I really don't want Google to know where I am and what I am doing although they probably already know more about me than I want to know.  Despite its privacy concerns, I will admit that the application itself is pretty interesting and could have some useful applications.  For example,  Latitude could be used in emergency situations to identify where people are in relation to the situation and prescribe to those people the best course of action to take.  The question users have to ask is if the benefits are worth the price.