Palscience

Researchers from Norhtwestern University secretly tracked over 100,000 people outside the United States through their mobile phones. According to the researchers, they were studying human behavior; the study concluded that most the people who were tracked rarely stray more than a few miles from home. Many people asked was that what they were looking for? Or were there any secrets behind the study?because its pretty obvious that most people like to stay around their families, friends, jobs and school.

Researchers tracked the people’s location using cell phone towers, so whenever they make or receive a phone call the tower sends signal to the base to record their location. Even if they send or receive a text messages the tower would record it. They did that for about six months, until they collected enough data to start the study.

The name of the mobile company that provided the service for the researchers was not published in the original study for the public. Moreover, According to study, researchers who participate in the study had no access to the name or the phone number of the individuals. “Study co-author Cesar Hidalgo, a physics researcher at Northeastern, said he and his colleagues didn’t know the individual phone numbers because they were disguised into “ugly” 26-digit-and-letter codes.”

This type of tracking method would be illegal in the United States according to Rob Kenny, a spokesman for the Federal Communications Commission. “Consensual tracking, however, is legal and even marketed as a special feature by some U.S. cell phone providers.”

Hidalgo a co-author of the study said “We’re not trying to do evil things. We’re trying to make the world a little better.” On the other hand, people say what if these data falls under wrong hands? It might be misused right?

Main Goals and Results:

1. People’s travel patterns help to create better transportation systems.
2. Gives doctors guidance in fighting the spread of contagious diseases.
3. Most people like to stay much closer to home and family.
4. Traveling for most people is Hassle.