State Laws Shift Geolocation's Spot On The Privacy Map

Where are you?

Your exact location is a tidbit of information that can infringe on your privacy. Knowing your location all the time can help someone map your life.

Were you at the pool hall during working hours? Did you tell the police you were at home when you weren't? Was your visit to the plastic surgeon recorded for posterity? And what were you doing in that hotel room?

Early in the age of privacy regulation, the US legislators and regulators have been concerned with consumer's financial data, patient's health care treatment information, and the identification and targeting of children. Then came identity theft protection laws in every state, which tended to address personal identifiers and account information that could be collected online. Currently, US states enforce specific privacy laws covering capture of biometrics, including a number of rules about use of facial recognition AI, and additional rules around permissions needed for use of DNA.