Abstract

Location Based Services (LBS) are information services that can be\naccessed with mobile phones. They rely on the system's knowledge of the\ngeographical position and the identifier of the phone being used, and\ntherefore on collecting data on an identified or identifiable user. In\nthis respect, the French data protection act stipulates that users agree\nto be supplied with an LBS service on a fully transparent basis and that\ntheir location data must be erased or made anonymous once the service\nhas been provided. In some cases, location-based services are provided\non the user's own request, but in other cases, the individual concerned\nis unaware of the fact that third parties know where s/he is. This\ncreates potential for surveillance and misuse on the part of both police\nand businesses. What is at stake here is not only the right of\nindividuals to freedom of movement and to privacy but also, and more\nperniciously, citizens' autonomy with regard to information and\ndecision-making