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Not every cell phone GPS provides the user with the global positioning system and on most phones it is only activated when a 911 call is made. This can help direct emergency personnel to the person needing the help considerably quicker than relying on information provided by the user to the cell phone provider. If a person moves and does not change their address with the provider in a timely manner, emergency services could be sent to a wrong address.
Additionally, a person on the road using their cell phone GPS to call for help can direct the emergency responders to their current location, a common frustration among police and fire departments during the first years of cell phone use. With cell phone being used virtually anywhere, finding the location of a person in need of help can be shortened considerably when they use cell phone GPS technology.
Privacy Is Concern Over GPS Technology
For many cell phone users, the thought of someone being able to track then down by using their cell phone GPS is considered a violation of privacy, and according to the country's privacy laws, it is. A person cannot be legally tracked by their cell phone GPS unless they give their permission. With the GPS systems built into most new cell phones, their locator signal becomes active when the 911 service is contacted.
Most unit-to-unit tracking by using a cell phone GPS service is confined to movies and television. Where the hero is using a screen to keep track of a person with a cell phone GPS unit in their pocket. Under current privacy laws this should never happen in real life, despite the capabilities allegedly being available.
Prior to cell phone GPS technology being included in al phones, the last known position of a phone call was based on reports from the cell phone tower accessed by the caller. This only narrowed the service down slightly, considering the amount of area covered by most cell towers. By using cell phone GPS technology, emergency responders can have much less of an area to cover when looking for someone needing help.
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