Google uses location data on Google maps for traffic conditions

Google maps is using anonymous location data from Google maps applications
on mobile phones in order to infer real time traffic conditions.

This is a lovely implementation, but it raises some privacy concerns. For example, law authorities could request the information from Google. While the information is declared as anonymous, it has been shown that location data can be easily De-anonymized.

Google allows users to opt-out of the service (here is how). However, it seems that the only way to opt out from the service is by stopping location services in Google maps completely – something that most users would hesitate to do.

Your email address is worth $5

I took this picture at a Toyota service center

Symbian client for Locaccino

Locaccino has a new Symbian client, working on Nokia phones such as N97, e51 etc. It will update your location on the server, while staying in the background, allow you to check your friends’ location, to see who has viewed you, who can view you, allow you to go offline and more.

To use it, first go to Locaccino and add the facebook application. Afterward, go to Locator and go on from there.

OPOSSUM is back

My search engine for semantic Web services is back online, this time on a more reliable server: http://opossumsearch.org/