Dear Jody,
1. Vehicle tracking in Israel is already carried out for several years - the
first method implemented was not GPS (via Satellite) but via ground network
of antennae. The main purpose of it (and this is why we have "Informed Owner
Driver Consent" ) is the prevention or tracking of stolen vehicles. (This
crime is very "popular" and most of the loot ends up in the "killing
grounds" in the Palestinian National Authority controlled areas).
2. In addition to GPS (expensive devices in vehicles) we use the
triangulation method to position a common mobile phone (GSM for sure) by
measuring the diagonals from 2 -3 antennae poles - this software was
developed in Israel. Accuracy is within meters - with is sufficient for most
management of fleets purposes. If the car is owned and provided by an
employer - there can be no "reasonable objection" and no way to claim there
was coercion in forcing out "consent" from the driver-employee.
3. The productivity and efficiency of an employee while on duty is within
the rights of his employer.
4. The Cellular operators have much more information stored in their
operational network - e.g., duration and targets of calls (in and out) and
access to identity of callers. They track the user all the time, they can
match by geographical positioning and group personalities (carriers of hand
phones) and also track other networks users who "roam" via their network.
5. Notwithstanding the above ANY PERSON who has a record held in a database
may approach the Data Controller (Israel and UK have similar legal approach)
and require to view and correct any "mis-representation of facts" in HIS
record. In other words he may claim he gave his mobile to his great grand ma
for a pilgrimage to Stonehenge or a call on an old pal in Penzance - but
this game can be played only once ...
6. The evidence produced from a normal processing of records in computerised
systems is primarily a good evidence - the data subject shall have to
produce some very serious explanations and base it on good evidence to
contradict the process results of a Cellular Phone Control Network (e.g.,
ORANGE, which I know well in Israel and in UK)
7 To sum up - yes ! Tracking can be improved considerably nowadays and so
can productivity and honesty in effective work hours. No ! you can not hide
under the Data Protection umbrella and tell your boss bedside stories about
the "adventures" of your independent cellular or your company car, truck
etc.
Ce la vie (G. Orwell 1984 - did not dream his dream will come true ...
neither did HG Wells in "Brave New World")
Regards
Yosi
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2000 12:27 PM
Subject: Vehicle/employee tracking
> Hi,
>
> I was hoping to pick your brains on the following situation.
>
> My local authority is looking at the concept of using vehicle
tracking
> technology using global positioning for real time tracking of
> individual vehicles. The benefit of using this technology is that
> vehicles and therefore operatives can be located instantly and
> accurately in the event of any incident. The other big benefit is
> security. Vehicles will be tracked 24 hours a day and will provide
> alarms if the vehicle is stolen.
>
> It has been suggested that, the technology may be used for checking
> against employees timesheets - start and finish times. The assumption
> here to verify exactly where and when the vehicle had been used by
the
> individual. Is this legal under the Data Protection Act 1998.
>
>
> Under section 12 of the Act 1998 - states an individual is entitled
to
> require the data controller to ensure that no decision is taken on or
> on behalf of the data controller which significantly affects that
> individual which is based solely on the processing by automatic means
> of personal data in respect of which that individual is the data
> subject for the purpose of evaluating matters relating to him such
as,
> for example, his performance at work, his creditworthiness, his
> reliability or his conduct.
>
>
> I would welcome any advice you can give me on this matter.
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
> Jody
> _______________________________________________________________________
> The contents of this message do not necessarily represent the
> opinions, views, policy or procedures of Leicestershire County Council.
>
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