User:Rebecca Praden

Annotated Bibliography

Mobile/Cellular Phones and Privacy

The resources listed below assist in the enquiry of wireless technology. Specifically, I have chosen to focus on mobile/cellular phones and their associated privacy issues. Books, newspaper articles and professional web-sites have been sought out to best reflect issues concerning camera phones, SMS spam and mobile interception (including location devices).

Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association. 2004. “Home Page�, http://www.amta.org.au/ (accessed 08/08/04).

This website, home of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association, takes a substantial look at the use of mobile telephones and associated issues that have arisen over the past few years. It provides a ‘Mind your Mobile Manners’ page designed to protect you and those around you. Also, the website plays host to a number of media releases. In particular, four articles were found spanning from June 2003-June 2004 which focused on camera phones. They stated that there was ‘no need for extra legislation’ and ‘no need for tighter control’. They promote the positives of mobile phones with cameras by saying they are ‘fun when used wisely’. Further, two articles were found regarding SMS spam and the telecommunications code that is in place to protect the publics privacy which revolves around the idea of ‘opting-in’. The fundamentals of the code are highlighted and links are present which guide those interested to a full copy of the code. Whilst it appears that some bias does exist in the discussion of camera phones, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association still appears to have the people in mind providing key information concerning issues of privacy.

Bekkers, R. & Smits, J. (1998) Mobile Telecommunications: Standards, Regulation, and Applications, Artech House Publishers: Boston, London. ISBN 0890068062

This book proves necessary in the understanding of forms of telecommunications and their associated policies, regulations, standards and applications. Most importantly, chapter two entitled ‘The Development of Mobile Communication Systems’ explores the ‘breakthrough’ of mobile telephony, tracking its invention across the globe to the present day (being the 1990’s in this text). This chapter will provide an insightful background to the first mobile telephone system and its initial impact on society in the United States. Further, ‘The Development of Cellular Systems’ will clarify the transition that this form of technology has made. In addition, it may be useful to touch upon chapter six in this book, ‘Cellular Telephony’, to comprehend this system and read of the Analog Standards and the subsequent Digital Standards. Ultimately this text will aid in a level of understanding of mobile telephony, producing a broader knowledge which may lead to specific studies.

Bennett, R. & Previte J. Case Study: Austin Powers’ SMS Message, UQ Business School, University of Queensland.

This case study in focus is a marketer’s perspective of SMS messaging and its use in the promoting of products. It ‘poses a number of questions to stimulate thinking about the changing technological, ethical and social environments’ (par. 2) concerning mobile phones and the ways in which consumers receive the messages. Predominantly, the case study suggests ways in which marketers can use SMS technology to raise awareness of their brand or product without aggravating the consumers. Numerous examples are provided to support the case, yet disadvantages of SMS messages in the form of spamming are also touched upon. The key to SMS success lies in the ability to entertain consumers and/or offer them the opportunity to gain from your ‘intrusion’. In addition, this writing successfully discusses the notion of ‘opting-in’ or ‘opting-out’ of the respective offers. Both are concepts which are essential with concerns of privacy as they nullify the perception of SMS being purely for the company’s gain. Perhaps most importantly, however, is the way in which this case study recognises mobile phones to be highly personal tools for their owners. This has the propensity to emphasize the reasons as to why receivers of SMS spam harbor a degree of irritation. The case study also discusses ‘M-Marketing Opportunities and Tactics’, and ‘Leverage in SMS Advertising’ and ‘in Sales Promotion’ which provide interesting, yet secondary, concerns.

Hollands, M. (2004) ‘Strict conduct code curbs SMS spam – SPECIAL REPORT MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS’, The Australian, February 17, http://search.epnet.com/direct.asp?an=200402171T14804851&db=anh (accessed 08/08/04).

SMS spam is a relatively new concept in the technological world and is carefully considered in this article. Spam, being a concept known through e-mail services, has expanded into the pockets of people – literally. This article pays mention to the anti-spam code and its penalties, the differences between legitimate marketing and spam, and the position of Telstra and Virgin mobile in the debacle. In developing an argument one could possess one of two view points. Firstly, due to the fact that SMS spam has not reached a pinnacle in Australia a $10 million fine could be seen as rather exaggerated. It is rare that an SMS message causes harm to people and only takes recipients 5 seconds to read and half of that time to delete. On the other hand, the ‘annoying’ factor comes largely into play as receivers of the unwanted messages must first open the text before deleting it. Further, the messages that comprise of promotions often come with catch. The article also raises the consideration as to who should be responsible for the spam – the telecommunications company or their clients who in fact send the message. Thankfully it seems as though Telstra and Virgin have a strong code of conduct when it comes to spam and the unhappy recipients who complain.

Lee, W. (2001) Lee’s Essentials of Wireless Communications, McGraw-Hill: New York. ISBN 0071345426

Within this book, wireless technology is presented in its full potential. Lee, a professional business man with years of experience in the field, discusses the latest technologies in an attempt to make the reader ‘tech savvy’ by understanding the essentials in standards and strategies. Concise information is provided backed by answers to queries, recounts of unsuccessful ventures, past readings and educated judgments. In relation to mobile telephony, chapter one – ‘How the Telephone, Wireline and Wireless Were Born’, as per 1.3 stipulates the origins of the cellular phone, followed by reasons as to why it was not possible for the system to be commercially released in the 1970’s. This chapter alone is filled with accurate background information that will form the basis of the ever changing cellular telephone. The remainder of the book continues to argue matters of this technology, amongst other things, addressing issues such as ‘How to Calculate the Radio Capacity of Analogue Cellular System’ (3.2) and the ‘Single-Standard System versus Multistandard Systems in Cellular’ (5.6). More interestingly, however, are Lee’s considerations in the final chapter (8) as to whether wireless communication will come to an end. Lee’s conclusion is indeed inspiring as he states,

Many areas of concern have been mentioned if the technology effort cannot be moved ahead, if the service creation strategy timing in incorrect, if government does not play a strong role in spectrum coordination, and if demand and capacity are not well thought out and planned, we may possibly face an end to advances in wireless communication.

Of course, by making everyone aware of the various problems that lie ahead and by addressing these problem early one, we will be able to correct our course as we move forward into a great wireless communication future (pg. 291).

Whilst this may seem a bit ambiguous in terms of mobile privacy, it is definitely a consideration that should be remembered as this technology continues to advance and open new doors to new actions, both good and bad.

Llana, A. (1994) Wireless Communication: Technologies and Applications, Computer Technology Research Corp.: South Carolina. ISBN 1566070341

This book presented by the Computer Technology Research Corp. of the Unites States of America presents informed research into wireless communication and its importance. Chapter one is an executive summary that purposely introduces Cellular and Mobile Communications and their fundamentals. Equally as important, chapter two recognises the progression of wireless technology and attempts to explain its reputation based on its genesis. Moving onto chapter four entitled ‘Wireless Voice Systems’ offers a in-depth look into the ‘wireless local loop’ and sub-headings devoted to ‘Standard Cellular Services’ and ‘Digital Cellular Telephones’. Under this, voice systems are acknowledged as being ‘Some of the most common forms of wireless’. Each consequential chapter also touches upon mobile/cellular systems in a minor way. This book is successful in the way in which it discusses all of the above material in a straight-forward and distinct manner. Everything is explained with the inexpert in mind, yet the book still produces the necessary information. The basics are found within the text which aids in a full comprehension of the development of mobile telephony.

Mackenzie, K. (2000) ‘Writings on the wall for unsolicited SMS spam’, The Australian, December 5, http://search.epnet.com/direct.asp?an=200012051051823211&db=anh (accessed 08/08/04).

This article focuses specifically on mobile phone users receiving what could be classified as SMS spam from their carriers. It begins by providing some general information on SMS messages such as, the figures in Australia and the preferred reasons for its use. By interviewing the top three mobile phone company’s in Australia, this article unveils their stance on the issue. Vodafone spokeswoman Germaine Graham reports that, ‘SMS alerts are a new service, and like all carriers we are offering new services on a regular basis. Many customers like receiving new services and alerts’ (par. 11). Optus believes that they ‘send these alerts in a very minor way – we certainly don’t bombard them with mail – we are very conscious of bombarding’ (par.15), whereas Telstra claims that ‘as an overarching policy, we feel that any form of unsolicited receipt or delivery of SMS is a no-go’ (par.17). All statements prove to be informative as they come from the source where this problem most often emerges. With this, the notion of competing carriers sending messages to other carriers also arises. The Australian Communications Industry Forum is working to direct this matter via enforced codes of practice.

Mandia, E. (2004) ‘Naked truth of phonecams’, The Australian, June 29, http://search.epnet.com/direct.asp?an=200406291035667751&db=anh (accessed 08/08/04).

This newspaper article introduces camera phones and their newly discovered misuses by stipulating changes in controls and protocols as requested by the Australian Computer Society. It clearly maps out the disadvantages of this technology with the publics privacy in mind and provides a chilling example which states,

When you invite a tradesperson into your home to quote on a job, the phone clipped to their belt may be considered a tool of the trade, but it could also be used to record and send to the Internet, or an associate, the location of the valuable contents of your home, or more private material (par.14).

The article briefly skims over the restrictions on camera phone in other countries, leading into current Australian legislation. The Australian Computer Service provides key judgments in the consideration of privacy and camera phones and therefore, outlines what measures they believe are necessary to keep unsolicited photos at bay. Clearly, the arguments embraced in this article highlight the need for action and ways in which this action may appear.

O’Neil, P. (2004) ‘Tougher laws to blitz spy phones; Websites flooded with illegally taken pictures’, (Melbourne) Herald Sun, July 20, http://search.epnet.com/direct.asp?an=200407202003900717&db=anh (accessed 08/08/04).

This article addresses the new technology of cameras in mobile telephones and its detrimental ramifications on society. In particular, it emphasizes the notion of Australian women being ‘captured’ through these devices and subsequently ‘released’ on the Internet. Several opinions all point in the same direction; namely, suggesting that laws should be further enforced to bring an end to these ‘sexually hostile’ (par. 4) actions. In contrast, later opinions argue the opposite, blaming the people rather than the technology. The way in which this article produces differing stand points indicates the diverse effect that camera phones have had on Australia whilst in its introductory stage. Although there is controversy surrounding the new ‘snap and send’ (par. 11) phenomenon, this article will keep any potential bias in check and prompt other considerations. The article concludes well with informative figures about the sales of mobile phones in Australia.

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, (2004) Fact Sheet 2: Wireless Communications Privacy, California, http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs2-wire.htm (accessed 08/08/04).

This fact sheet found via the Internet is an excellent resource for the contemplating of mobile interception, including the use of location devices. It answers vital questions, starting with the essentials such as ‘Can others listen to my cellular phone calls?’. It gives tips as to how to protect your privacy when using a cell phone which raises considerations not previously unveiled. Significantly, this fact sheet also introduces the United States Federal Communications Commissions’ location device branded E-911. A similar device will also emerge in Australia. Commercially, however, is AT&T’s Find Friends service which allows a person to locate businesses and invite a friend who also uses the service to meet you there. Of course, key privacy issues arise from these new technologies. Cellular telephone fraud risks are also addressed along with prevention and laws relevant to the subject matter. ‘Laws Regarding Wireless Eavesdropping’ is telling in its content and clarifies strict conduct that is in place. All laws are applicable only to the state of California providing insight into the problem and possible solutions for Australia. Finally, the facts sheet discusses SMS spam to a lesser extent.

Rebecca Praden 12:52, 10 Aug 2004 (EST)