Privacy Proves to Be Evasive for Smartphone Users

By John Duckgeischel

Privacy concerns first came to light for iPhone and iPad users with the news that the devices made by Apple record user movements. Now a Wall Street Journal article reports that Android-based mobile devices continuously send user location information to the Google mother ship. To alleviate users’ concerns, Google issued a statement that this activity is not a privacy threat. The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that smartphones using Google’s popular Android operating system constantly transmit user location data to Google. The news quickly led to new calls for federal legislation to protect the privacy of smartphone users. But Google says the practice is not a threat to privacy.

“We provide users with notice and control over the collection, sharing, and use of location in order to provide a better mobile experience on Android devices,’’ a Google statement said. Google has taken the position that it has been upfront about what it is doing. Google displays a very high profile notice on Android phones that asks users if they give permission to let the company “collect anonymous location data”. Google states that the location information about the phone is kept separate from the identity of the phone’s owner. John Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog, a Washington D. C. advocacy group stated “These aren’t smartphones, they are spy phones.” The group is requesting that laws be put in place that make sure that phone users have the option of not being tracked. “Increasingly, children have iPhones and Androids at age 13, 14, 15, 16, when they are still very vulnerable to predators,’’ Congressman Edward J. Markey stated. “It makes it a lot easier for a predator if they can actually know where you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re likely to go.’’ The controversy has spread to Europe where many countries have strong privacy safeguards in place and are especially sensitive to the latest revelations.

Related Link:

http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2011/04/23/smartphone_privacy_fears_raised/

Salesforce.com’s Radian6 Buy Comes with Marketing Opportunity

By John Duckgeischel

Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff’s history of success is largely based upon his ability to make the most of business opportunities. This week’s Radian 6 acquisition for $276 million in cash and $50 million in stock is the latest example. Salesforce is well known for its customer service and Salesforce automation offerings via its software-as-a-service (SaaS) customer relationship system, however Benioff sees a broader horizon with its latest acquisition. Salesforce has made clear that it intends to become “the enterprise cloud computing company” Radian6, a pioneer in social-media measurement , could be the kernel of what eventually becomes a fully fledged marketing suite offering from Salesforce.

Radian6 will help Salesforce customers interface with and monitor activity on Chatter and Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, which has become an important to companies that want to manage their brand on the internet. As Salesforce has seen competitors make moves into the marketing arena, such as SAS buying AssetLink, Teradata acquiring Aprimo, and IBM picking up Unica, the Radian6 acquisition may the first of several moves to bolster its own marketing related offerings. Potential future acquisitions could include Marketo or Equloa that are known for their lead and campaign management capabilities. As the competition heats up in this space, it would help Salesforce strengthen its foray into marketing and help the company move a step closer to its dream of being “the enterprise cloud computing company”.

Related Link:

http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/bi/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=229400634