Global Positioning System: the Opinions of Public and Political Influences and Implications

Abstract
This paper focuses on two primary topics which are “Public opinion on Global Positioning System’ (GPS)” and “Political implications and influences”. This paper will provide positive and negative views that the general public has in regard to GPS technology usage. It will explore the intended purpose of the GPS and how useful the technology is for navigation assistance and the advantages it affords law enforcement. This paper will also examine the GPS’ unintended uses and expand upon the public’s concerns about over relying on technology and stalking. It will demonstrate that, while the GPS is immensely useful for navigation purposes, safety and security, it also causes potential risks and threats, primarily to the privacy and personal lives of individuals. Next, the political implications and influences will be examined and the nation’s national security dilemma will be analyzed. The intent of this paper is to look at the GPS as more than simply a navigation technology and provide alternate theories on intended versus unintended uses.

Public opinion on GPS technology
While the majority of people across the globe agree that a GPS is an extremely useful tool that has become integrated into our everyday lives, there are some that raise valid concerns regarding misuse. Opponents argue that this type of advanced technology, if used for unintended purposes, could potentially cause great harm, leaving the GPS surrounded by mixed reviews and opinions. However, the two issues that cause the greatest amount of debate are directions and individual security.
Smartphone and tablet PC manufacturers have taken full advantage of GPS technology, installing software that allows GPS communication, which provides the user with step-by-step directions and pinpoint accuracy. A wrong turn no longer causes undue anxiety, as the GPS automatically recalculates and updates the route. Using a GPS can save considerable amounts of time navigating unfamiliar areas, finding local restaurants, or locating the nearest emergency room (Krow). But do people rely on the technology to much, opponents say yes, and proclaim the GPS was invented to help aid with directions, not entirely diminish a person’s need for a sense of one. Critics argue that relying solely on a GPS affects one’s natural ability to navigate and disrupts something the human brain is supposed to do well (Neyfakh, 2013). For example, in June of 2011 a driver of a vehicle in Bellevue, Washington drove her car off a boat ramp and into the water at Mercer Slough Natural Park (Johnson, 2013). Luckily she was not injured, even though the car was completely submerged and when asked what happened she told officials that her GPS told her to go that direction. This incident should not necessarily indicate that GPS technology should be eradicated from human lifestyle, but it may build a strong case for periodically finding your destination the old fashion way.
Law enforcement agencies have used GPS technology in a variety of ways since it was introduced to the public sector. The idea within law enforcement is to prevent repeat offenders and occasionally stop someone before they commit their first crime, such as suspected terrorists. The ability to stop criminals in their tracks, before further crime is committed, makes GPS technology valuable to law enforcement officers (Krow). Unfortunately, we live in a world filled with evil people and many of those individuals are extremely tech savvy. At a Department of Justice event marking January, both as National Stalking Awareness Month and the 15th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, Associate Attorney General Perrelli said the use of technology by stalkers has become "a common practice." (Heussner, 2009). In January 2009, the Department of Justice reported that of the 3.4 million stalking victims in the United States, approximately one-quarter were stalked by some form of GPS technology. These startling statistics have led to an increased awareness by stalking victims and increased vigilance by law enforcement agencies when handling stalking cases.
The Political Influences of GPS Government agencies often struggle with things that cannot be controlled. Nowhere is that more evident than with GPS technology. Since its release to the public, GPS technology has advanced at such a rapid pace that law makers have failed to implement sound policies that regulate GPS use. Concerns have been raised regarding policy direction and technology ownership, but by and large the single greatest political dilemma is national security. GPS technology is a vital component to national security and the US economy, which makes it a prime target for cyber attackers. The GPS, which supports everything from smart phones, to banking systems and the national power grid is in a constant state of vulnerability, yet cyber attackers become increasingly advanced at an alarming rate. The threat of cyber-attacks from rogue actors and countries like Russia and China is growing by the day (Kaminski, 2015). This glaring fact forces the Department of Defense (DOD) to constantly explore new avenues of technology improvement, while clamoring for policies that can regulate GPS use. The Pentagon’s concerns are not limited to DOD systems. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently told the Defense Media Activity the private sector’s cyber vulnerabilities also threaten national security because the military depends on commercial networks (Selinger, 2015). General Dempsey has repeatedly called for Congress to enact legislation, which would provide a path for sharing information between government and private sectors.
Conclusion
GPS technology has fundamentally changed the lives of people across the entire globe. Generally, these changes have been for the greater good and have produced positive outcomes. Humans now live in an age of endless exploration, where people are no longer geographically challenged and have no fears or apprehensions about venturing off into unchartered territory. Law enforcement agencies have become increasingly effective at utilizing the technology to monitor criminal activity and solve crimes faster and more efficiently. The positive uses of GPS technology far outweigh the potential negative implications, however the continual reliance on such technology leave the government and the public vulnerable and exposed.

References
Heussner, Ki Mae (2009). Using Technology to Beat Stalkers at Their Own Game. Retrieved May 1, 2016 from http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/stalkers-gps-mail-spyware-victims-fight-back-technology/story?id=9541348
Krow, Shailynn (n.d.). What Are the Advantages of GPS? Retrieved May 1, 2016 from http://science.opposingviews.com/advantages-gps-17559.html
Neyfakh, Leon (2013). Do our brains pay a price for GPS? Retrieved May 1, 2016 from https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2013/08/17/our-brains-pay-price-for-gps/d2Tnvo4hiWjuybid5UhQVO/story.html
Johnson, James (2011). GPS Sends Lady Into Lake And She Does As She’s Told. Retrieved May 1, 2016 from http://www.inquisitr.com/114402/gps-sends-lady-into-lake-and-she-does-as-shes-told/
Kaminski, Paul (2015). Op-ed | America Needs To Stay the Course on GPS Security. Retrieved May 1, 2016 from http://spacenews.com/op-ed-america-needs-to-stay-the-course-on-gps-security/
Selinger, Marc (2015). DoD Systems Still Vulnerable to Cyber Threats, Report Says. Retrieved May 1, 2016 from https://news.clearancejobs.com/2015/01/31/dod-systems-still-vulnerable-cyber-threats-report-says/