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Sober IT truths from the island-state

by Michael Tan, Singapore

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IBM speed reporting device--time to sell your performance car?

May 21, 2008 10:12

IBM to police speeders in United Arab Emirates--Engadget

The GPS-enabled devices will monitor drivers' speed and give them a verbal warning if they creep over the speed limit. If they ingnore the
warning, the smart box will wirelessly trasmit the car's speed, identity and location to the police who will promptly slam you with a
ticket.

If this were the case, there is only hope thing left: Will there be
cross-border cooperation? Will speeding in Malaysia or Thailand be an
offence for a Singapore-registered car as far as the Singapore
Government is concerned? If not, will the Singapore Government share,
or be forced to share, the GPS data with the Malaysian or Thai
authorities?

If we go to track, will the GPS location be shared by the Government
with insurance companies as conclusive evidence to void insurance while
one is on the track?

If all the answers are YES, we had better start looking at the penalty if
this device is blocked or hacked. yes, GPS is easy to block, but not
aGPS which uses cell phone towers to assist, though aGPS is way less
accurate than normal GPS.

I tell you that this will be implemented. Governments, especially Governments which are rich and strong, love these devices. What's up with these politicians? Red Ken just got voted out of office by the Tories. But I guess Red Ken was pretty extreme and too visible and vulnerable a target.

Singapore is NOT ready for a fair implementation of this device without
a clarification on the privacy law in this country. If the SG Government puts this
in, we're really screwed. They may even sell information on where your
car is... and one of the SURE buyers would be our wives.

Please, readers, say NO to this. Automotive enjoyment is probably one of the most important things which stops men from going astray.

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About Michael Tan

Michael Tan is lucky enough not to have to choose between his job and his passion. He is the responsible for all aspects of developing new businesses and sourcing new productlines for a regional IT distribution company. He also oversees the company's legal affairs as General Counsel. In real life, he is a technology enthusiast, from both the fun and business viewpoint. The only choices he has to make are whether to play with his astro telescopes, his PC games, his Wii console, hit the track, tweak his car, or refine his biofilters, post his blogs, research for a new digicam, scour every forum to feed his habit further, play with his son… You can reach Michael at michaeltanyk@gmail.com ALL BLOGPOSTS ONLY REFLECT MICHAEL'S OPINIONS AND NOBODY ELSES'.