'Orwellian' tracking system goes public
Published on 05-29-2010
Microsoft has publically released a tagging system that will allow users to leave a breadcrumb trail for the firm, its advertisers and just about anyone else to follow.
The Vole claims that its Tag software allows businesses who use it as a form of barcode giving access to “advanced analytics” and “real-time location services” to track where users access products and services that are registered with Microsoft’s latest privacy concern.
Backing up Tag’s ability to provide access-all-areas capability, Microsoft gushed that it has witnessed “a lot of enthusiasm for Tag among marketers”. Well, quite, but the firm doesn’t mention a thing on its website concerning the privacy of those who purchase products incorporating Tags.
The system will form part of Microsoft’s plan to build up a rich picture, similar to that of augmented reality, of Tagged items, with the user being able to receive further information about them. The firm hopes that its customers will use smartphones to tap into the apparent wealth of data this system will provide. Microsoft says that “all major mobile platforms” are supported, and presumably Windows Mobile, too.
Perhaps as a sign of Microsoft’s legendary reliability, at press time Microsoft’s Tag website was up and down like a yo-yo.
As Microsoft loses its grip on the virtual world, apparently it’s decided to chance its hand in the real one. µ
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