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Unintended consequences of the Global Positioning System

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  • John A. Lever

Abstract

This article describes a framework for characterizing unintended consequences, especially in terms of the vernacular “Law of Unintended Consequences” as applied to the known and potential consequences of the Global Positioning System (GPS). It is shown that a subset of the unintended consequences related to the GPS belongs to the larger class of general locator devices. The risk of vulnerability of GPS is characterized in terms of impact of unavailability. The general usage or misuse effects are considered in the category of human factors. Privacy is treated in a legal context, and the potential losses of privacy from general locator devices are discussed. Also, legal devices to limit loss of privacy are described, as well as the use of locator devices by law enforcement agencies. The general framework of the article is to describe GPS as a particular case of the larger need to consider secondary consequences in the development and socialization of technology. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 7: 217–228, 2004

Suggested Citation

  • John A. Lever, 2004. "Unintended consequences of the Global Positioning System," Systems Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 7(3), pages 217-228.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:syseng:v:7:y:2004:i:3:p:217-228
    DOI: 10.1002/sys.20007
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