Schneier on Security and the iPhone

Bruce Schneier has recently written a very good article on the issue of "security" and the new iPhone. I highly suggest you click on that link and give it at least a brief read.

Technology these days seems to be making great leaps and surges, and I admit that I am mightily impressed by the sheer computing power of the iPhone. The features it offers just puts to shame the old Ericsson plastic brick I first had back in '96 when Digital Tu-Ka Hokkaido (I believe they are J-Phone now) first opened their Ericsson TDMA network. But for all the glitz and glam, there is no way I want someone to be able to track me to within a few meters using GPS. As it is, someone could use triangulation and locate me within a city block or two right now with my DoCoMo FOMA mobile.

Privacy is something that seems to be taken for granted, more and more. It is given away when consumers blindly accept technology that appears to make their lives more fun. Privacy is a privilege that comes from having freedom, and freedom is something you have to work for on an everyday basis. Shouldn't we be more vigilant?

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
-- Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759