Google Announces Location-Based Latitude

On Wednesday, Google released a location-based software, Google Latitude. Google Latitude allows users with wireless devices to share their locations with their contacts. Users can select who receives the updates or to go offline at any time, Google said on its website. Contacts can see where the user is through Google Maps.

Users’ whereabouts can be tracked on a Google map, either from a handset or from a personal computer. And although this may raise a flag on privacy issues, Google promises it has its users’ security in mind. Google states, “You not only control exactly who gets to see your location, but you also decide the location that they see.” Reuters reports that the software will eventually run on Apple’s iPhone and iTouch and many Sony Ericsson devices. Will users take to Latitude, or will it result in users feeling as though their privacy is being compromised? Google’s privacy settings aside, time will only tell the success of Latitude.